Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has questioned the referee’s decision for Orlando Pirates’ second goal in the MTN8 final.
Lehlohonolo Mojela opened the scoring with a wonderful bicycle kick in the first half, but the Buccaneers rallied back to triumph 3-1.
There was some controversy for Pirates’ second goal when a foul took place. Relebohile Mofokeng’s quick-thinking sent Tshegofatso Mabasa through on goal to score.
We were robbed against Pirates, Abongile Tom helped Pirates to win.
“Incidents like that spoil the game, Firstly, it’s not a freekick. “Secondly, the ref is speaking to the players. “Thirdly, its taken from the wrong place”
“What can I say, there’s nothing more”
“It was a decision that’s absolutely indescribable that a free-kick can be taken four, five minutes closer to goal.” Steve Barker.
Steve Barker calls for VAR
“Pirates benefitted, but it wasn’t their doing. The referee gave them the game. What we saw today is a clear indication that we need VAR as soon as possible.
“It was a decision that’s absolutely indescribable that a free-kick can be taken four, five minutes closer to goal.”
“Abongile Tom got it all wrong the entire game.
It was a daylight robbery, Abongile Tom gave the match to Pirates.
In his post-match interview, Barker gave three reasons why Mabasa’s goal was not legitimate.
“Ja it’s unfortunate that an incident like that spoils the game. I mean, firstly it’s not a free-kick, secondly the ref was speaking to the players, thirdly the free-kick was taken from the wrong place, so what can I say? There’s nothing I want to say, there’s nothing more,” Barker told SuperSport TV.
“It’s difficult to think about the good things but we were obviously competitive, we showed that we can compete with the best teams on a weekly basis. It is just disappointing that the game ended like that,” Barker added.
Pirates could not have beaten us without the help of Abongile Tom, his decisions helped Pirates to win
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.
“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 minutes 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.”
“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.”
