The Soweto derby was a showdown of epic proportions. However, the game had a crucial controversial talking point that had a huge impact on the game. The buildup to Yusuf Maart’s outstanding strike that caught the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane off his line, was an infringement according to former FIFA referee Ace Ngcobo. The former PSL whistle man, claimed that there was a foul by Billiat on Ndabayithethwa, before Maart collected the pass.
Ngcobo believes that the officiating could have been better in that situation. Mr. Spot On has stated that he does not want to take anything away from the goal, but the laws of the game should have to be taken into consideration.
“Look, I don’t want to take anything away from the brilliance of Maart, who scored the goal,” he said on Supersport’s Extra Time show.
“That’s the hand to the face. We’ve spoken earlier about hand to the face, it is an obligatory yellow card and free kick. You must give it.
“But the unfortunate moment is who would’ve expected that moment to take place? Neither the referee nor the assistant or any other player on the field of play.
“The fact of the matter is there was a foul, hand to the face, should’ve been a yellow card, should’ve been a free kick.
“But we’re not taking anything away from the brilliance of the moment but we’re saying Maart did brilliant but there was an infringement on the laws of the game, the dispossession that took place fell foul on the laws of the game,” he said.
There have been several controversial decisions this season that have resulted in teams losing points unfairly. It is time that the hierarchy took action and investigated the possibilities of VAR.
