Stellenbosch FC manager Steve Barker has voiced his frustration over a controversial refereeing call that contributed to his side’s 3-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final.
Despite taking an early lead through Lehlohonolo Mojela, Stellenbosch were unable to hold on, with Pirates eventually securing a third consecutive MTN8 title.
Barker was particularly incensed by the second Pirates goal, which came after a quick free-kick was taken before the referee could signal a restart. While he acknowledged that the third goal was legitimate, he felt the second was unfairly awarded.
During the post-match press conference
“Unfortunately, you won’t get much from me this evening,” – he said.
“I thought it was a good, competitive football match. However, there was a decision that was absolutely indescribable. The free kick could have been taken from four to five meters towards the goal, and it changed the complexion of the game.”
“I was looking forward to extra time. I thought we were starting to look like the better team, and I believed we would have lifted the trophy.”
“Unfortunately, the focus should have been on the match, the good tactics of each team, and the competitiveness. But it will be about the referee’s decision, and I’m very disappointed but also proud of our effort.”
“When you work so hard to reach the final and compete, and then see the game taken away from you like that, it’s a difficult pill to swallow. People might feel like it’s sour grapes, but it’s not. The referee failed to start the game where the free kick was and changed the course of the game.”
In an interview with IOL
“I thought it was a really good game of football, very competitive.
“Up until a decision that is absolutely indescribable, that a free kick can be taken four or five metres closer towards goal when it’s in and around your box, and then changes the complexity of the game.
“I was looking forward to extra time, I thought we were starting to look and be the better team that used all their sort of options, we believe had it gone to extra time we would have lifted the trophy.
“So unfortunately on Monday night when it should be about the match, how it was played and the good tactics of each team, and the competitors, it’s going to be about a referee decision.
“Which is that he made three errors in one decision, so yeah, I’m very disappointed.”
Barker on the public broadcaster
“I haven’t had time to process everything, but with the little bit that I saw, firstly, that was not a foul. And secondly, the referee is speaking to the players and suddenly they take the free kick from an advantageous position,”
“So it’s disappointing that a good game like this ends with a call like that. If you look at the last 10 to 15 minutes, we were the better team. We were starting to get on top of them. I believe that had we gone to extra-time, we would have gotten the trophy, but it’s not to be.
“I’m very proud of my players; you can see with the effort and the commitment they put in, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to be tonight. We will bounce back, we will take it on the chin but it does leave a bittersweet taste.”