ORLANDO Pirates defend their MTN8 cup after outsmarting the stubborn Stellenbosch FC 3-1, at last night’s clash at the packed to rafters Moses Mabhida Stadium.
But that left Stellies coach Steve Barker reeling in shock, spitting fire and for the very first time, lost for words.
Referee Abongile Tom’s stoppage-time decision is the reason Barker is unhappy.
The scores were deadlocked at 1-1 courtesy of Lehlohonolo Mojela’s early goal and Monnapule Saleng’s equaliser, and the match was heading for extra time, but Ismael Toure’s tackle on Patrick Maswanganyi resulted in Tom rightly blowing his whistle for a foul.
But what happened next changed the face of the game.
Relebohile Mofokeng took the resulting free kick quickly, but a few feet away from where the foul was committed.
The teen played the ball towards Tshegofatso Mabasa, and the lanky striker placed the ball neatly past Sage Stephens, who had an unbelievable game despite the result.
Tom’s crucial oversight, where he failed to apply the basic rules of football, left Stellenbosch heartbroken.
Equally, the Cape Winelands side made a costly mistake by not playing to the referee’s whistle – a fundamental principle in the game.
In football terms, it’s almost a criminal offence, as any seasoned player or fan would agree.
However, Barker, in his own right, saw the situation differently.
“Unfortunately, you won’t get too much out of me this evening,” Barker told reporters after the match in Durban.
“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 meters closer to goal,” Barker said.
The whole country is going to have a filled day at office on this matter.
Bucs defend their title for the third time in succession.
Additional reporting by News24.
Image ( 2024 MTN8 winners Bucs in celebratory mood last night at Moses Mabhida Stadium).
