Controversial Referee Decision in MTN8 Final Sparks Outrage from Stellenbosch Coach Steve Barker
Controversial Referee Decision in MTN8 Final Sparks Outrage from Stellenbosch Coach Steve Barker
In a highly dramatic MTN8 final, Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker publicly criticized a controversial referee decision that significantly impacted the outcome of the match. Orlando Pirates claimed a 3-1 victory, becoming the first team to win the MTN8 title three years in a row, but the post-match discussion centered on the stoppage-time decision by referee Abongile Tom, which Barker deemed “absolutely indescribable.”
The MTN8 final, held at Moses Mabhida Stadium, was set to head into extra time, with the scores tied 1-1 after Lehlohonolo Mojela’s early goal for Stellenbosch and Monnapule Saleng’s equalizer for Orlando Pirates. However, a late foul by Stellenbosch’s Ismael Toure on Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi led to a controversial free kick. What followed left the Stellenbosch camp in disbelief.
The Referee’s Controversial Call
Abongile Tom awarded the free kick after Toure’s foul, but what angered Barker and his team was how the set-piece was taken. Tshegofatso Mabasa received the ball from the free kick, placing it past Sage Stephens to make it 2-1. Stephens, despite his otherwise stellar performance, couldn’t stop the well-placed shot.
Barker’s main complaint was the positioning of the free kick. He argued that it was taken four to five meters closer to the goal than where the foul occurred, an error he believed directly changed the course of the game. “It changed the complexion of the game,” Barker stated. “We were looking forward to extra time, and I felt we were starting to be the better team.”
Barker’s Frustration: “Indescribable” Error
Barker expressed his frustration after the match, suggesting that the outcome could have been different if the game had gone into extra time. He reflected on the hard work his team had put in to get to the final and the bitter feeling of having the game “taken away” due to an officiating error.
“People can say it’s sour grapes, but a decision in the 90th minute, where there’s an opportunity to restart the game where the free kick should have been taken, wasn’t applied properly,” Barker told reporters. “It’s a difficult pill to swallow, especially after working day in and day out to be competitive in the final.”
Stellenbosch’s Costly Mistake
While the refereeing decision became the focal point of post-match discussions, Barker also admitted that Stellenbosch could have avoided the situation by playing to the whistle, a fundamental principle in football. His team seemed caught off guard by the quick execution of the free kick, which ultimately led to the second goal.
In football, failing to play to the whistle can have disastrous consequences, and this match was no exception. The Cape Winelands side paid the price for their lapse in concentration, further adding to Barker’s frustrations.
Mofokeng Seals the Win for Pirates
Just as Stellenbosch was trying to recover from the shock of the second goal, Orlando Pirates’ teenager Relebohile Mofokeng added a third goal, sealing the victory. Mofokeng, who has developed a reputation for stepping up in big matches, scored his second goal in a major final in as many seasons, following his decisive strike in the previous season’s Nedbank Cup final.
Mofokeng’s goal put the game beyond doubt and sent Pirates fans into celebration mode, as their team achieved an unprecedented third consecutive MTN8 title.
Jose Riveiro: “Pirates Were the Better Team”
While Stellenbosch’s Barker focused on the referee’s error, Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro viewed the match from a different perspective. Celebrating his fifth trophy with Pirates in just two-and-a-half years, Riveiro commended his team for their performance and resilience.
He acknowledged the chaotic nature of the final moments but insisted that Pirates were the superior side throughout the game. “I think we were ahead almost all the time, even though we were chasing one goal in the early stages,” Riveiro said.
Riveiro praised his team’s intelligence and ability to create opportunities out of nothing, especially in those “crazy moments” toward the end of the match. He expressed pride in the historic nature of the win, attributing the success to the entire squad.
A Missed Opportunity for Stellenbosch?
For Stellenbosch, the match represented a missed opportunity to make history themselves. The team had been competitive throughout the tournament and had looked set to challenge Pirates in extra time. Barker’s belief that his side was starting to look like the better team in the dying moments of regular time suggested that the game could have taken a different turn had it gone beyond 90 minutes.
The frustration for Stellenbosch lies not only in the refereeing decision but also in the knowledge that they had come so close to taking the match into extra time. Barker was left lamenting a situation where, instead of reflecting on the tactical battle and individual performances, the conversation was dominated by a refereeing error.
Orlando Pirates’ Historic Achievement
Despite the controversy, there is no denying Orlando Pirates’ incredible achievement. Winning the MTN8 title for a third consecutive year cements their place in South African football history. Riveiro’s ability to consistently lead the team to success in cup competitions has been remarkable, and Pirates fans will remember this victory for years to come.
The MTN8 final victory also further reinforces Pirates’ dominance in South African football, having also claimed back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles. The Buccaneers have now established themselves as a formidable force, with Riveiro building a team capable of competing for trophies on multiple fronts.
The Road Ahead for Stellenbosch
For Stellenbosch FC, the focus will now shift to how they respond to this defeat. While the disappointment of losing the final in such a contentious manner will linger, the team has shown throughout the tournament that they have the potential to compete at the highest level. Barker will need to rally his players, ensuring that they use this experience as motivation for future success.
The question for Stellenbosch will be how they address the errors made, both in terms of their failure to play to the whistle and their response to adversity. If they can learn from these lessons, they may well find themselves competing in another final in the near future.