Retired referee Victor Hlungwani has condemned the 'targeting' of Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng following a series of career-threatening tackles on the 20-year-old.
The reigning Premiership Young Player of the Season has already a bright start to the new campaign, already having contributed five assists and four goals in his 14 appearances so far.
At 20, Mofokeng is considered one of South Africa's brightest prospects, having even made his Bafana Bafana debut in July.
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However, that prospect has come under threat in recent matches, with the tricky winger finding himself at the receiving end of some gruesome tackles.
Reviewing recent matches on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone, Hlungwani focused on Pirates' match against SuperSport United and against AmaZulu, during which, Mofokeng was the recipient of some harsh-looking tackles.
"Lets go to Pirates and SuperSport, we call (that) serious foul play," Hlungwani explained.
"Serious foul play is a tackle that endangers the safety of the opponent using excessive force or brutality, where the player must be sent off.
"You can see Sanoka there, he got a yellow card, but what do you see? The tackle is above the ankle. It endangers the safety of the opponent. So Sanoka should been sent off for serious foul play.
"Then we go to Friday when Pirates (played) AmaZulu and see again another tackle that endangers the safety of the opponent by Boniface Haba on the same Rele.
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"He (Mofokeng) is a skilful player indeed, but look at what he does. That is reckless! Reckless means the player acted with disregard to the danger or consequences for his opponent
"So now, that yellow card, he got nothing. That should have been a yellow card for playing with disregard.
"The same Haba, let's see what he does next to Mofokeng.
"This is serious foul play. This player should have been sent off and they are destroying this boy because he is a very good player. They are targeting him. The referees have a responsibility to protect all skilful players."