Former FIFA referee Ace Ncobo believes Luxolo Badi made two wrong calls in Sekhukhune United’s 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates.
Babina Noko continued their brilliant run in the DStv Premiership and overtook Pirates on the log to move into third place after beating them 2-1 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
After the match, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro had questioned why his players only changed their attitude after falling behind, but Ncobo insisted they were disadvantaged twice by the referee.
The first incident happened in the 41st minute with Pirates trailing 1-0, where Ncobo insists Nyiko Mobbie got away with a foul on Tshegofatso Mabasa.
“When you discuss tripping, forget intention. Tripping is tripping, it can be accidental,” he said on Extra-Time.
“The player, yes, had lost possession but the foul is committed and the foul is committed before the ball goes out.
“The referee was not correctly positioned from an angle to view that and when the ball went out of play, it went out play after the foul had been committed – it should’ve been given, there was tripping.”
Ncobo further argued that Sekhukhune’s second goal by Linda Mntambo should’ve been disallowed, because Jamie Webber pushed Kabelo Dlamini as he tried to clear the ball.
“Look at how that player was pushed, whether or not the player is in possession of the ball, it’s a foul,” he added.
“The ball is in play, he is pushed, it’s a foul – that should’ve been given in favour of the defender.
“By the time that goal is scored, there is an infringement prior to the goal being scored.”
