Former Zimbabwe Warriors Captain Peter Ndlovu is facing disciplinary action from Mamelodi Sundowns over alleged “negligence” after the club listed a suspended player as a substitute in their 1-0 Nedbank Cup final win over Bloemfontein Celtic on September 12.
Peter as the Mamelodi Sundowns’ team manager is among the people accused of listing Tebogo Langerman among substitutes despite the player picking four yellow cards in the run-up to the final.
On Monday Mamelodi Sundowns owner and President Patrice Motsepe issued a statement on the club’s official website publicly apologising to “all the supporters” and other stakeholders for the gross negligence. He added:
Our preliminary investigation indicates that the management and technical team were grossly negligent and this behaviour and conduct is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. A formal disciplinary hearing will be held as soon as possible and the appropriate action, including dismissal where the circumstances legally justify, will be implemented. We are a caring, loving and forgiving organisation but we also have a duty to protect the reputation, integrity and good name of Mamelodi Sundowns. We have to make sure that this kind of grossly negligent and reckless behaviour does not happen again.
Meanwhile, Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane seemed to be throwing Peter under the bus when he said team management must know which player is suspended or not.
Sundowns are lucky that Bloemfontein Celtic’s appeal was dismissed by Safa on a technicality after Phunya Sele Sele lodged their complaint after the stipulated 30 minutes, but, they still face a heavy financial fine for fielding an ineligible player.
Peter joined Sundowns in 2004 as a player when he was coming from England. He retired in 2011 and in 2013 he was roped in as the team manager for the first team.
Some believe Peter is one of the unsung heroes at Sundowns who have transformed into a continental powerhouse in the last few years.
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