After Mamelodi Sundowns utility player Thapelo Morena filled in as a a goalkeeper in their win over Marumo Gallants, KickOff explains why Jody February could not come in for red-carded Denis Onyango.
Sundowns returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership after a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Gallants on Wednesday, thanks to goals by Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, and Iqraam Rayners.
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With the side leading 3-1 in the last minute of regulation time, shot-stopper Onyango received a second yellow card for a foul on Gabadinho Mhango just outside the box.
With the Tshwane giants having February on the bench, Morena instead was the player selected to take the gloves of the Ugandan to be in goal for the remainder of added time.
Miguel Cardoso had used up the maximum number substitutions (five) after Arthur Sales replaced Peter Shalulile just after the hour-mark and a triple change with 16 minutes to go (Keanu Cupido, Asekho Tiwani and Sphelele Mkhulise).
In the last eight minutes, Bathusi Aubaas came on for Costa to lock the game.
Morena only had one save to make, collecting a low, albeit tame, shot, whilst another effort he faced was off-target.
According to IFAB regulations on Law 3, FIFA has a recommended number of five substitutes to be used in official club football around the world, which has been adopted by CAF and the PSL in the case of South Africa.
Teams can also be limited to less than five substitutions, as they are allocated a maximum of three substitution opportunities to make their five subs.
If, for example, a team uses three substitution opportunities but only makes three or four substitutions, that team would not be able to bring on a fifth player in case a goalkeeper gets sent off or a player gets injured and can't continue.
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However, substitutions made at half-time do not count as substitution opportunities.
FIFA has made provision for competition organisers to make a rule of an additional substitution and an additional substitution opportunity if extra-time is required to determine the winner.
The football governing body has also introduced permanent concussion substitutions, which it appears are yet to be adopted by the PSL.