Marumo Gallants head coach Dan Malesela has compared the match officiating during their DStv Premiership match against Sekhukhune United to that of the SAFA Vodacom League days.
Gallants lost 3-2 to Sekhukhune in the Limpopo derby at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sekhukhune opened the scoring through Nigerian striker Chibuike in the 28th minute. But Gallants quickly found an equaliser via Celimpilo Ngema a minute after.
Victor Letsoalo netted the second for Babina Noko four minutes into the second half. But the moment of controversy came after Ngema scored what looked like a legitimate equaliser moments later.
Match referee Thapelo Kheswa looked to be pointing at the centre circle but was overruled by one of his assistants. Marumo players and officials confronted the officials but stood by the decision.
DAN MALESELA EMBARRASSED BY MATCH OFFICIATING
After the match, Malesela compared the officiating to the old Vodacom League days.
The SAFA Vodacom League (now ABC Motsepe League) is known for its scandals and dubious match officiating week in and week out.
“It’s very sad. You know I coached in the then Vodacom League. It reminds me of the good old days at Vodacom,” he told reporters.
“Eish, today was as bad as that. Never would I have imagined things to be like this at any given time in the PSL. I never imagined this.
IS SA FOOTBALL IN TROUBLE?
“I care about South African football, a lot. I am one person who from time to time wishes to see us grow and progress but when things come to a point where the game is not controlled by players, then we are in trouble,” added Malesela.
“It’s embarrassing. You wish that if it was possible all matches should be televised live to the general public. Not only to people who can afford streaming.”
“Yes you have won, but do you really get happy when you see this? And how long do you think your time is going to survive? questioned Malesela.
“It’s very painful. Everybody puts in a shift, we work hard. These players work hard. Maybe we are a soft target. The pain is what is done to the game, what is done to the image of the PSL, that is the biggest pain.”
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