Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has slammed the referring decision which he felt changed the complexion of the MTN8 final in the dying minutes.
Orlando Pirates secured a three-peat of the competition after a comeback 3-1 win over Stellies at Moses Mabhida Stadium after Lehlohonolo Mojela’s stunning opener was pegged back by Monnapule Saleng before the late drama.
Tshegofatso Mabasa netted a controversial second goal in the final minutes or regulation time when Relebohile Mofokeng took a quick free kick, several meters away where Patrick Maswganyi was fouled by Ismail Toure outside the area.
“Unfortunately you won’t get too much out of me this evening, I thought it was a good game of football, very competitive, up until it was a decision that was absolutely indescribable that a free-kick can be taken four, five metres closer to goal, in around the box,” Barker said.
“It changed the complexion of the game, I was looking forward to extra-time, I thought we were starting to look and be the better team, I felt if we went to extra-time, we would have lifted the trophy.
“Unfortunately, on Monday night when it should be about the match and how the match was played, and good tactics of each team, the competitors of each team, it’s going to be about a refereeing decision. Which he’s made three errors in one decision.”
Mofokeng added a 96th minute goal to make it 3-1, adding further salt in the wound in what was a spirited performance from the Cape Winelands outfit in Durban.
“I’m very disappointed and proud of the effort we put in but when you work as hard, day in and day out, get yourself into a final, get yourself competitive that it was basically taken away from you like that, it is a difficult pill to swallow,” he added.
“People can say it’s sour grapes. But a decision in the 90th minute, there was an opportunity to restart where the free kick was. He chose not to and that basically changes the course of the game.”
