Kaizer Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson believes a red card “spoiled the game” after his team was thrashed 5-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns in a DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Thursday.

Given Msimango was sent off in the 19th minute for a foul on Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who was clean through on goal. The former TS Galaxy defender was adjudged to have pushed Costa from behind, and referee Abongile Tom correctly issued a red card. Despite Chiefs holding their own in the first half, the initiative swung in Sundowns’ favor after the dismissal.

Sundowns turned up the pressure in the second half, scoring all five goals to leave Chiefs humiliated. This defeat marks the biggest loss in Kaizer Chiefs’ history.

“I think the red card spoiled my game plan,” said Johnson. “I still need to review it, but in that moment, I’m not sure it was a clear red card. We held them well in the first half. We had a good structure and created some good moments despite them controlling most of the possession.

“Coming out for the second half, we thought we could build on that performance and maybe even score a goal.”

Johnson, who took charge in October last year, emphasized the need to focus on the remaining four games. He expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance in the final 15 minutes, conceding three goals to Sundowns.

“Their first goal was a foul for us if you look at it. There’s a foul on the right-hand side and the referee points the other way. From that moment they go to the other side, and they score,” said a bemoaned Johnson.  

“That breaks your players too sometimes, because that’s the Achilles heel it takes you out of the game because we’re one man down and the foul belongs to Kaizer Chiefs. 

“But in saying that, we had to defend better in the second half, which we didn’t do. But my main bone of contention is the first goal scored against us. 

“We have to go back to the drawing board and I think there are four games left.  

“We have to pull up our socks because the Chiefs you saw in the last 15 minutes is not the Chiefs I know.”

Picture courtesy of Kaizer Chiefs