Former PSL and FIFA referee Victor Hlongwane has weighed in on the officiating controversy which rocked Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League match against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
The Buccaneers and their Congolese visitors ended with a man down each after Tshepang Moremi and Christopher Sumbu were sent off in the first half. FC Lupopo went on to lose the match 3-0 but proceeded to the Champions League group stage after overcoming Pirates in a penalty shootout.
It was heartbreaking for The Ghost, who had managed to stage a comeback from the 3-0 defeat they had suffered in the first leg of this Second Preliminary Round away in Lubumbashi.
But dramatic incidents dominated last weekend’s contest, with FC Lupopo right-back Dieumerci Mukoko taking the centre stage. From headbutting Masindi Nemtajela to stomping on Oswin Appollis’ heel, Mukoko was performing a show. But he went unpunished.
His antics also included animated celebrations after winning duels, directing his excitement at the Pirates bench provocatively. He also had a face-off with Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi on the touchline.
After being pushed by Moremi, Mukoko made a meal out of it by falling dramatically to the turf, clutching his face and wildly rolling.
WAS THE REF CORRECT ONLY TO PUNISH PIRATES’ MOREMI & NOT MUKOKO?
“Mukoko, jersey number 36, what does he do? He does what [Zinedine] Zidane did, headbutting. This is a red card, this is violent conduct because the ball is out of play,” said Hlungwane on Soccerzone.
“He was supposed to get a red card, and then Nemtajela tried to retaliate. Then this is what Moremi tried to do, violent conduct as well, he brought him down.
“Then the referees are having a conference there to decide who must be sent off. But they sent off number four, which is Sumbu. Is he the correct player? The answer is no.
“The player who was supposed to be sent off is Mukoko. He is pointing at Moremi, and indeed Moremi did get a red card, which is a correct decision, but incorrect for Mukoko.”
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