CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns’ Neo Maema Shown Straight Red Card

• Mamelodi Sundowns were reduced to 10 men when Neo Maema was sent off against Wydad Casablanca
• Maema was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle, despite just trying to avoid a tackle himself
• Football fans can't understand what else Maema could have done as he was sent off after VAR intervened

Football fans are unhappy with the referee in the CAF Champions League game between Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca.

The South African champions travelled to Morocco to take on the tournament's defending champions but had to play the second half of the game with just ten men.

Midfielder Neo Maema was shown a straight red card for a perceived dangerous tackle, one which fans didn't agree with. Just before halftime in the tie, the Sundowns star jumped to avoid a tackle from a Wydad player and came down on the opponent's stomach.

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Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea didn't give a foul for the incident at first but then was called over by VAR to revisit the incident.

The Ghanaian referee then returned to the field and brandished the red card at Maema, leaving Sundowns to play the rest of the first half and the entirety of the second, with one player less.

The decision left many fans questioning what else Maema could have done in the situation.

Here's how fans reacted to the decision:

@maetsebane:

"What was Neo Maema supposed to have done here, he already had 2 legs in the air. No way he could avoid this?"

@FootywithF:

"So about that red card? I’m not sure what Neo Maema was meant to do with his leg there, as momentum carried him. A yellow card would have sufficed. There was no malice in the challenge."

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@Nozulelasays:

"Absolutely outrageous decision by the referee to give Neo Maema a red card there. Incompetence.

Mamelodi Sundowns Hammers CR Belouizdad

Mamelodi Sundowns have taken a major step toward the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The Brazilians defeated Algeria’s CR Belouizdad 4-1 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

Goals from Peter Shalulile (2), Neo Maema and Cassius Mailula gave the South African side a convincing win.