Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has argued Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa deserved the Man of the Match award over Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi after Orlando Pirates’ comeback to win 2-1 over 10-man Stellies.
Pirates came from behind to secure victory in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg tie in Cape Town.
Maswanganyi was influential in assisting both goals. The talented playmaker swung in a beauty that Zakhele Lepasa headed in before turning provider for Deon Hotto’s last-gasp winner.
But before this, Stellies’ midfield grafter, Mthethwa, bossed the midfield and single-handedly thwarted the midfield pair Phillip Ndlondlo and Thabang Monare as the Winelands outfit was a man short.
Stellies defender Thabo Moloisane had been red-carded for a crude tackle on Maswanganyi.
Nonetheless, Mthethwa, once again, proved why Kaizer Chiefs supporters badly wanted their team to sign the former Black Leopards man.
However, after the Buccaneers completed a 2-1 comeback, the award was given to the former SuperSport United star Maswanganyi. Lepasa and Hotto’s goals cancelled out Ismael Toure’s first-half header.
WHY BARKER BELIEVES SIBONGISENI ‘OX’ MTHETHWA DESERVED THE AWARD
Barker questioned the decision, insisting Mthethwa was more deserving.
“I heard Sibongiseni Mthethwa was named Man of the Match until they scored a goal,” Barker told the media.
“I don’t know why it changes because I thought he was, for me, the best player in the park by far.
“For him to play the way he has and still have that amount of energy and desire to chase and press and try to get something for the team, for me, it makes a coach proud to see a player make an effort as he does and like everybody else did.”
The two teams will now square up on the 24th of September for the second leg at Orlando Stadium. The finalist will be decided after the tie.
Story by Joshua Hendricks
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