Former international referees Victor ‘The Principal’ Hlungwani and Andile ‘Ace’ Ncobo have expressed differing views on Glody Lilepo’s appeal for a penalty in the match against Stellenbosch FC.
Late in Amakhosi’s 1-0 victory over Stellies during a Betway Premiership contest last Friday in Cape Town, defender Athenkosi Mcaba appeared to hinder Lilepo using both hands and his body.
Hlungwani, analysing the incident on SABC Sport, believed the referee was correct to deny the Congolese forward a penalty. Conversely, Ncobo, speaking on SuperSport TV, asserted that it was a clear penalty.
HOW ACE NCOBO AND VICTOR HLUNGWANI EXPLAINED THE LILEPO INCIDENT
Ncobo offered insights into his reasoning: “He [Lilepo] is impended, you know the definition of holding… Clear penalty, clear penalty—no attempt to play the ball. Using your arms to impede an opposition player [is an offence]. Clear penalty.
“But now, he was pushed outside the field of play. There’s no discussion here, there’s no attempt to play the ball, using your arm to stop the movement of the opponent. Clear penalty…”
Interestingly, Hlungwani had a differing viewpoint from Ncobo. “We see a touch. Let’s show you a touch. The laws of the game say holding and touch. Is touch an offence or not? We see Lilepo going past, and then hands were used to touch. Football does not accept minor holding… just a small touch, and then he decides to fall. He’s been falling before the contact is even made because he anticipates,” said Hlungwani.
He further said the newly signed Amakhosi winger was trying to “take a chance”.
“He’s trying to buy, you know, at times you take a chance, but if you proceed going forward and then they block you, there’s impeding. Now, when you feel a touch… remember football is a contact sport. Now when you feel a touch, and then you fall before even the ball comes in.
That touch, touching is not an offence. Holding and pushing is an offence. Football does not accept minor holding, it must impede. It must not be a minor one.”
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