Barker speaks out on controversial referee call in final against Pirates

Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker has spoken out on the referee’s controversial decision in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

The Winelands-based side suffered a 3-1 defeat as Pirates won their third successive MTN8 title.

Stellenbosch drew the first blood in the first-half with a spectacular goal by Lehlohonolo Mojela. But Pirates pulled one back on the stroke of half-time courtesy of in-form Monnapule Saleng, bringing the scoreline back to 1-1. In the second-half, Pirates dominated ball position, creating most of the goal-scoring opportunities.

With match looking to be headed to extra-time, the Buccaneers eventually found the back of the net on the 90th minute through Tshegofatso Mabasa.

Mabasa’s goal was surrounded by controversy after the Soweto giants took a quick free-kick before the referee could blow the whistle for a restart.

Pirates put the final nail into the coffin with a last-minute goal by midfield sensation Relebohile Mofokeng to make it 3-1.

STEVE BARKER EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT IN REFEREE ABONGILE TOM

Steve Barker expressed his displeasure with the performance of the referee on the night and said he was disappointed to see the game decided in a controversial manner.

“I haven’t had time to process everything, but with the little bit that I saw, firstly, that was not a foul. And secondly, the referee is speaking to the players and suddenly they take the free kick from an advantageous position,” Steve Barker said on SABC 1.

“So it’s disappointing that a good game like this ends with a call like that. If you look at the last 10 to 15 minutes, we were the better team. We were starting to get on top of them. I believe that had we gone to extra-time, we would have gotten the trophy, but it’s not to be.

“I’m very proud of my players; you can see with the effort and the commitment they put in, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be tonight. We will bounce back, we will take it on the chin but it does leave a bittersweet taste.”

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