Police escort for Michel after Sundowns beaten

French coach Henri Michel left Super Stadium near Pretoria in a police vehicle Sunday after Mamelodi Sundowns became the latest victims of a shock-riddled South African FA Cup.

The defending champions lost 1-0 after extra time to Platinum Stars in a second round tie settled by a harsh 95th-minute penalty that Colombian Luis Renteria converted.

When the final whistle sounded a mob chanting “Michel must go” tried to jump over a security fence, but police and security officials quickly defused the situation.

Defeat was the final straw for some success-spoilt Sundowns supporters with the Cup exit to unfashionable Platinum ending their last hope of collecting silverware this season.

Mamelodi have traditionally been among the most successful South African football clubs but after a modest start to this season widely-travelled Michel replaced former national coach Trott Moloto.

A run of five consecutive league victories lifted Sundowns into second spot only for a shock loss at bottom club Bay United to trigger a collapse and they trail leaders SuperSport United by 11 points with five rounds left.

The cup tie was a shocker with neither Sundowns nor Platinum, stung by a record 6-0 midweek league loss, displaying any attacking ambition and there were more yellow cards than shots at goal.

It came as no surprise that a penalty decided the outcome, but whether it should have been awarded was arguable as Renteria and Sundowns defender Robyn Johannes tussled for possession inside the area.

Other Sunday matches went with form as Moroka Swallows scored twice late in the first half en route to a 4-0 win over third division Peace Lovers in Polokwane and Ajax Cape Town edged second division Nathi Lions 1-0 in Durban.

There were shocks galore Saturday with the ‘big two’ of South African football, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, among those biting the dust in last-16 clashes.

Even three fortunate goals could not prevent Chiefs falling 4-3 at second division Pretoria University while Premiership strugglers Bloemfontein Celtic came from behind to triumph 2-1 against the ‘Buccaneers.’

Also through to the quarter-finals of a Cup offering a 600,000-dollar first prize are Maritzburg United and lower league clubs Black Leopards and Winners Park.