iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye believes that referee Abongile Tom got the penalty calls wrong in the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in Durban on Saturday.
Sundowns scored in each half through Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners’ penalty in injury time to end Pirates’ dominance in the Wafa Wafa Cup.
There was a penalty awarded to the Buccaneers in the 60th minute when Mokoena appeared to have brought down Yanela Mbuthuma down in the box. Ghampani Lungu couldn’t convert as Ronwen Williams saved the spot kick, a moment that could have levelled his side.
Later in the second half, Thapelo Mokobodi looked to have fouled Siyanda Ndlovu in the box, Tom pointed to the spot with Rayners scoring to seal the game for his side and secure the trophy.
Khanye felt both incidents didn’t warrant the decision taken by Tom saying they were both soft moments.
“Referees sometimes ruin a game because for me I don’t think both penalties were actual penalties,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“The Orlando Pirates penalty and Skwish’s they were not penalties according to me. The first one was soft for me, I mean the ball was played, there was a bit of a stretch from Tebza but not that much of a push.
“Even if the incident happened outside the box, I wouldn’t have given a foul. To me it was too soft.
“The second one was also soft. I don’t understand why it was a penalty because Ndlovu lost the ball he wasn’t obstructed; he lost the ball. The opponent saw him and read the situation and then when he ran to the ball he fell and there was a bit of a contact.
“I can’t say that was a penalty. I think the referee was trying to rectify his blunder from the first penalty.”