Birds to appeal red card

Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows are appealing the 38th minute red-carding of newly-signed Anver Esterhuizen during their 2-0 Absa Premiership defeat against promoted Chippa United on Sunday.

This was announced on Monday afternoon by Swallows CEO Leon Prins, who said "the necessary document" was already on the way to the PSL's offices.

"The unfortunate sending off of Esterhuizen when the teams were still level at 0-0 turned the course of the game," Prins said.

"After viewing TV replays of the incident, we have no doubt the player's suspension will be rescinded."

What should have been a celebration for Swallows with the unveiling of Hyundai of their new sponsors, turned into a nightmare for them.

The referee ruled that Esterhuizen had struck United's Ugonna Uzochukwu in the face as both players rose to gain possession of a high ball, but TV replays indicated the Nigerian international was feigning injury.

It was Uzochukwu who went on to open the scoring for United two minutes after the interval with a deft header.

Swallows coach Zeca Marques echoed Prinz's sentiments and said he felt sorry for Esterhuizen.

"What a way to make your debut for a new club -- to be ordered off the field when you have not as much as committed an infringement," Marques said.

"Apart for the sending off, nothing seemed to go right for us on the day. We suffered a string of injuries during the match and this hampered us no end."

Marques said Swallows had started the game in an uncharacteristic listless manner.

"But we were improving as the match progressed and I think we would have turned the tide with a full complement of players in the second half.

"But on a hot, energy-sapping afternoon, it was just too much with a player short."

Swallows received two further red cards from the referee when assistant coach Fani Madida and the club's goalkeeping coach both received their marching orders for remonstrating over the sending off of Esterhuizen.

With 10 men for more than 45 minutes, Swallows' form went from bad to worse, with their fate sealed when David Zulu made the score 2-0 in the 72nd minute.