Mosimane wants more big games go to younger referees

JOHANNESBURG: In the wake of mounting pressure on PSL match officials to improve the standard of refereeing, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has asked that more experienced refs be assigned to handle big matches.

Mosimane had been pacing up and down in the Brazilians’ dug out during the Tshwane derby against SuperSport United at the weekend, unhappy with the assistant nearest to him throughout the match that ended 1-1.

The coach also felt SuperSport’s opener, scored by Thabo Mnyamane after just 11 minutes, was offside and that Percy Tau, who grabbed the equaliser in the second half, should have won a penalty later on.

“I am happy I will still be on the bench for the next game,” Mosimane, who served a two-match suspension earlier this month after referee Victor Gomes sent him to the stands at Cape Town City, said.

“It’s very difficult for the coaches. There are eight games left and we are all fighting for our own survival. It’s important to have experienced officials. I am not talking about the (SuperSport) goal. I am talking about match management.”

Mosimane is not the only coach to have been sent to the stands this season. Wits coach Gavin Hunt was ordered off in the opening game of the season back in August.

Cape Town City’s Benni McCarthy and Roger de Sa of Platinum Stars were also handed a two-match suspension from the dugout recently.

“The one we had (Eugene Mdluli, in the Tshwane derby) is a younger one. And if he keeps going like this he can handle big games like this. There is something there,” Mosimane said.

“You must understand that coaches have the pressure at this point in time, and emotions, tempers are high. It is because of the scoreboard and the log table – nothing else. We need a little bit of experience to manage the game, but if you don’t give the young referees these kinds of games how will they get the experience? I am not sure if the goal was offside, but it looked to be.”

Mosimane said his frustration did not emanate from Sundowns conceding.

“My issue was that the assistant referee was behind, he was late all the time. He kept us on the bench on our toes. He kept me on the line because he was reacting late. The ball is played, and only then he runs,” the coach explained.

“He didn’t keep the line. That was the challenge, not the goal. He has to be in line with the ball. But that needs experience – guys like Zakhele Siwela. But we need to build others.”

The level of officiating is under the microscope given how close things are at both ends of the league standings, with Sundowns leading the title race by four points and the battle to avoid relegation also heating up.