Mozambique defender Reinildo Mandava set an unwanted record after he was sent off in Sunderland’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The 31-year-old has been ever-present for the newly-promoted Black Cats since his free transfer from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the summer.
He failed to complete 90 minutes for the first time in the English top flight after was given a straight red card in the 33rd minute for kicking Matty Cash in reaction to a foul by the Polish full-back.
He became the first-ever player from Mozambique to be sent off in the Premier League and the first new nation in the competition to have a player get a red card after Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Anel Ahmedhodzic with Sheffield United during the 2023-24 season.
Cash went on to score for Villa in the 67th minute but Sunderland still equalised despite their numerical disadvantage thanks to Wilson Isidor in the 75th minute.
Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris, reacting to Mandava’s red card said: “It’s a good point against a strong team, especially with 10 men for the majority of the game.
“The red card was possible. It was, I think, a bad reaction, but in the end, we respect the decision.”
He added: “We were 10 men, but in fact we were 11 with this crowd.
“We’re happy to be here, but at the same time we have to be competitive, and I think we showed good character.
“Defending deep for a long period is really important because if you can master this phase, you can travel safely.
“It’s always a reset, but at the same time, we can create foundations through these experiences, and this one was really important.”
1 – Reinildo Mandava is the first player from Mozambique to be sent off in the Premier League, the first new nation to see a player receive a red card since Bosnia’s Anel Ahmedhodzic was dismissed in May 2024. Kicked. pic.twitter.com/ulx8uchseA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 21, 2025
Mandava will now serve a three-game ban and will miss Sunderland’s next league games against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
