A few recent decisions by referees have left some local football teams and their fans unhappy. The latest team to complain are Kaizer Chiefs, who claimed they were “robbed” of a penalty that could have resulted in them winning their MTN8 semifinal tie against Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend.
Amakhosi lost the second leg 2-1 in a sold-out semifinal at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. They have not taken the loss kindly.
In the dying minutes of added time Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane was kicked from behind by Sundowns’ Thapelo Maseko in the penalty area. Referee Luxolo Badi did not award a penalty despite the incident taking place directly in front of him.
Had Chiefs scored from the spot, the score would have been 2-2 in the second leg and 3-3 on aggregate (the first leg at FNB Stadium ended 1-1) and Amakhosi would have progressed on the away-goals rule. With the penalty not awarded, Sundowns won 3-2 on aggregate.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki disagreed with referee Badi, arguing the decision cost his team a place in the final.
“I think we are all aware that we were supposed to be given a penalty and that penalty was to be a 2-2 [away] score. It’s very clear it was a penalty because the tackle came from behind and the referee didn’t give it,” Ntseki said.
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