Diables Noirs coach Cyril Ndonga launched an attack on the match officials, who were in charge of his side’s second Group D match of the CAF Confederation Cup against Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday.
The Congolese side took the lead through a stunning strike from Alves Ngakosso-oko, which only lasted two minutes before Dominic Sithole equalised. The home side scored another goal via Daniel Cardoso before the break, handing Noirs their second defeat in group.
Ndonga’s side are now bottom of the group with no point in two outings. The coach, speaking through an interpreter, accused Sekhukhune players of falling too much, the bench of influencing the referees which he felt gave favourable decisions to the home team.
He also suggested that Babina Noko could experience some hostility in the return leg.
“The refs have chosen their camp,” said Ndonga after the match.
“Most of the faults committed by Diables Noir the flag was lifted including the offside but Sekhukhune was given all the advantage on fault, offside. So that is very bad, very bad.
“If we cannot correct what’s happening on referring ways in Africa we cannot make a difference while facing other continents around the world.
“So I’m really disappointed and noticed that the bench of Sekhukhune were communicating with the fourth ref, actually leading him to do wrong. That’s very bad for African soccer.
“Sekhukhune have welcomed Diables Noir here and Sekhukhune will be going to Congo, what will happen there in Congo? It was injustice we were crucified. The refs must not be partial they must be impartial.”
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema didn’t want to comment on the officiating but said that the opposition should learn how to handle defeats.
“They had fouls we had fouls, they had corners we had corners. I don’t think they had yellow cards we had yellow cards. So if you have lost, accept,” he stated.
“We’ve lost in Morocco, I can talk until the morning about the referees. Every time whenever a team is playing something will be said about the referees. You were here you were watching the game, I didn’t see the referees being biased if that is what he [Ndonga] said.
“But talking to us there and thank God they were talking in a language I couldn’t understand so I don’t know what he was saying. I couldn’t [understand] I was focused on getting the points for the team which in the end is what we did.
“One thing that we have learned as Sekhukhune United in this competition is that you forget about the officiating. Focus, prepare your team and if the officiating is bad score more goals than the opponents you will still win the game. If the officiating is okay then may the best team win.”
