Ref’s decisions mar great game
CAPTAIN, KEEPER COACH AND PITSO SENT OFF Billiat stunner sees Sundowns open up a five-point gap on City.
Friday’s top-of-the-table clash between Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns was a thriller which provided a wonderful goal from Khama Billiat, and an even better assist from Percy Tau in a 1-0 win for Masandawana.
Unfortunately some of the attention afterwards, however, had to also be placed on another controversial performance from referee Victor Gomes.
City went into the match without head coach Benni McCarthy as he was serving the last of a twomatch ban from the dugout. And it took 26 minutes for Gomes to send Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane to join McCarthy in the stands after he argued a decision Gomes had made against his men.
Mosimane’s right-hand man, Manqoba Mngqithi, was left puzzled by Gomes’ decision.
“It was unfortunate to lose the coach in the first half because I don’t think there was any reason for that. To be honest, the referee was emotional but it is not my place to complain about the referees and we accept the decision of the referee,” he said.
“Cape Town City gave us a run for our money but it was relief for us because we wanted to beat this team at least once and I am sure our supporters are happy,” Mngqithi added.
City’s assistant coach Vasili Manousakis was also flabbergasted by Gomes’ handling of the game as the Mother City campaigners had their captain Robyn Johannes and goalkeeping coach sent off.
“The referee stole the show, it was the Victor Gomes show,” he lamented.
“How Denis Onyango was not sent off in the first half baffles all of us. Thabo Nodada ended with about 20 stitches in the back of his leg, he had absolutely destroyed him. And then he went on to send Robyn off for something soft and bizarre. But anyway, it doesn’t matter.”
City failed to narrow the gap between themselves and runaway leaders Sundowns, who now command a five-point lead over Orlando Pirates at the top. Manousakis reckons the Brazilians have the league title safely secured.
“We are disappointed and I think that is us done, we are just going to go for it and try to stay in the top five. Benni’s mandate at the start of the season was to stay in the top eight and hopefully we will achieve that.”