Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena refused to comment about the calls going against his side by referee Abongile Tom in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, saying he will watch the tv analysis on Monday.
He was referring to the tv shows on the SABC and SuperSport TV, where former referees Victor Hlungwani and Andile Ncobo highlight the performance of the referees on a weekly basis.
Tom, who returned from SAFA suspension, gave seemed to have his decision right when Sipho Chaine cleaned out at Lebohang Maboe in the penalty box in extra-time, opting to call for a Pirates free-kick as Peter Shalulile had pushed the goalie beforehand.
There was also another entanglement between Shalulile and Miguel Timm during the extra time, but Tom, from close range, opted for a foul against the Sundowns although Timm appeared to foul the Namibian striker.
“[Everything] is on the pitch and I hope it will be on Monday, that discussion I hope is on Monday,” said Mokwena when asked about things that happened in the semi-finals and also what appeared to be a banter before the Wafa Wafa game between Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi and his counterpart Manqoba Mngqithi if it had any major influence how the game was handled by Tom.
Ncikazi said everyone knows what has been happening with Sundowns of late when it comes to refereeing, suggesting that they have been benefitting.
Mngqithi, who won the MTN8 trophy when Ncikazi was his assistant coach in 2009/10, replied that he was under no shame to be benefitting, even going to “poke” Ncikazi for being absent in the MTN8 final because he was red-carded when Sundowns beat Pirates last month in the league match.
Sundowns also thought they had won it in the last minute of the extra-time, but Bongani Zungu, who saw his penalty saved, was rightfully called offside before setting up Junior Mendieta’s goal.
Mokwena continued to be unhappy with Tom’s calls, with Downs also having a penalty shout after the ball hit Bandile Shandu’s arm in the second half, crushing his face and also engaging with fourth official during the match.
“I will be listening and watching,” he said before stopping to comment further.
When pressed to pinpoint exactly on what he was unhappy about, Mokwena opted to reserve his comment but still gave away little to express his unhappiness.
“No, I have to bite my tongue,” he said.
“I have to try very hard to bite my tongue.”
