In their SAB League match that was played at the Makhuvha FC Basel grounds on Saturday, FC Basel shocked the logleaders, Makhitha Oscar Stars, by beating them 3-1.

The game was played under protest. Oscar Stars lodged a protest with the referee shortly before the game kicked off. In their protest, Stars alleged that three of the Basel players, Mashudu Mashapha, Mandla Chabalala and Leonard Ndadza, were not properly registered with the team.

Basel took the game to the visitors from the onset. That resulted in the Stars´ conceding a penalty. A defender of Oscar Stars, France Lethole, handled the ball within his own penalty area and the referee, Deon Mphuma, was quick to award a penalty. Mashudu “Tlolo” Mashapha converted from the white spot to give his side a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. Another player of Oscar Stars, Alfred Mothomogolo, was lucky to escape with a yellow card after handling the ball intentionally.

The home side was leading by two goals at the end of the first half. Their second goal was also scored by Mashudu Mashapha. He headed home, following a scramble within the box. Mashapha sustained an injury to the head in the tussle to win the ball. He was replaced with Khumbudzo Muvhango.

Ezekiel Mobela of Basel was reprimanded with a card for ignoring the referee’s whistle.

The visitors committed suicide by abandoning their positions and packing themselves at the front in their search for goals. Basel scored through Lewis Chauke after a counter-attack. Stars’ solitary goal came via Innocent Ramuedzisi, nine minutes before full time.