There were ugly scenes at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night after Sekhukhune United were defeated 2-1 in controversial fashion by Moroka Swallows.
Angry Sekhukhune officials charged at referee Siyabonga Nkomo and his assistants Kgara Mokoena and Thamaga Sebati after they allowed the Dube Birds a late winner when the goal should not have been allowed to stand.
With the score deadlocked at 1-1 and deep into injury time, a mundane cross was whipped into the Sekhukhune goal and goalkeeper Badra Sangare grabbed the high ball, but Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango charged and pushed him.
Nkomo allowed the goal to stand, much to the chagrin of the home side officials and supporters.
Lindokuhle Mtshali had opened the scoring for Swallows while Chibuiki Ohizo levelled matters for the hosts before the controversial winning goal.
Sekhukhune players such as Nyiko Mobbie shielded the referees’ team from the coaches and technical coaching staff, who wanted to get a piece of the match officials.
The refereeing team was later seen scurrying for cover as they were escorted out of the stadium by security.
The referees are surely going to get punished by the refereeing body at Safa and Ba Bina Noko are likely to get a slap in the wrist from the Premier Soccer League for the unsavoury scenes after the final whistle.
The win propelled Swallows to sixth on the DStv Premiership table while Sekhukhune are lying on number eight after three rounds of matches.
“It is so early in the season, we cannot allow such mistakes from the referees. It is detrimental to the game and detrimental to the coaches,” said a disappointed Sekhukhune coach Brandon Truter.
“We work so hard to lose three points just like that. Things got heated on the touchlines and there was nothing we could do.”
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