South Africa’s CAF Confederation Cup representatives Sekhukhune United have been accused of benefiting from decisions made by match officials and being too friendly with a fourth official.
Babina Noko secured their first win in Group D against Congo Brazzaville side Diables Noirs at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday night. The DStv Premiership side won 2-1 and are now third in the group with three points.
But the head coach of the visiting side Cyril Ndonga did not take kindly to the defeat accusing match officials of taking Sekhukhune’s side.
CYRIL NDONGA NOT IMPRESSED BY MATCH OFFICIATING AGAINST SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
“The referee chose their camp. Most of the fouls committed by us [Diables], the match officials ruled in favour of Sekhukhune, including the offsides,” he said.
“Sekhukhune was given all the advantage on fouls and offsides so that is very bad. If you can not correct what is happening in terms of match officiating in Africa, we will not make a difference or compete with other continents around the world.
“So it’s disappointing, the bench of Sekhukhune were communicating with the fourth official which led him to do wrong things.
“That is very bad for the African continent. Sekhukhune hosted us here and they will be coming to Congo. What will happen in Congo? It’s an injustice. We were crucified. The referee must never be impartial, they must be partial,” he said.
LEHLOHONOLO SEEMA DENIES BENEFITING CLAIMS BY DIABLES NOIRS COACH
But Sekhukhune coach Lehlohonolo Seema rubbished Donga’s claims and urged him to accept defeat.
“They had found we had fouls, they had corners, we had corners. I don’t think they had yellow cards but we had yellow cards. So if you have lost, accept,” said Seema.
“We lost in Morocco and I can talk until the morning about the referees. Every time there is a match something will be said about the referees, I don’t know, you were here and watching the game, and I didn’t see the referees being biased if that’s what he said.
“But talking about us, thank God they were talking the language I don’t understand so I don’t know what he was saying because I was focusing on getting the points for the team which is what we did,” he added.
“One thing we have learned as a club is that you forget about the officiating, focus and prepare your team. If the officiating is bad, score more goals than the opponent, you will still win the game.”
Sekhukhune will now host Malian side Stade Malien in their next Confederation Cup match on Sunday, 10 December.
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