Stellenbosch put up a brave fight despite losing the MTN8 final 3-1 against Orlando Pirates on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
With the game tied 1-1, Stellies conceded a freekick deep in their half, and Relebohile Mofokeng reacted fastest to restart the game, but out of the three-meter-radius. The officials allowed play to continue and Tshegofatso Mabasa scored Bucs' second goal.
Five minutes later, Mofokeng made it 3-1 to ensure Pirates became the first team in the country to win the competition for the third consecutive time.
Referee made three errors in one decision – Barker
Stellies coach Steve Barker was not amused by the officials' decision that cost his side a chance to win another major trophy after the Carling Knockout triumph last season.
“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 could be taken four, five minutes closer to goal, in around the box,” the tactician said after the game.
“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. He’s made three errors in one decision.”
A difficult pill to swallow for Stellies
“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,” Barker continued.
“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.”
