Steve Barker dejected after refeering decision

Orlando Pirates won another trophy after beating Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 final. Steliies coach Steve Barker has questioned the refereeing before the Buccaneers’ second goal.

MTN8: ORLANDO PIRATES 3-1 STELLENBOSCH FC

As witnessed from the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, Stellies took the lead with a Lehlohonolo Mojela bicycle kick after 12 minutes. The Soweto giants later responded with a Monnapule Saleng equaliser in the 43rd minute. Tsegofatso Mabasa took the lead during injury time on 93 minutes before Relebohile Mofokeng delivered the third during the 96th minute.

STEVE BARKER UNHAPPY

Speaking to the media after the game, Barker believes Orlando Pirates’ free kick before the second goal was not played a few meters from where the foul took place.

“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,” Steve Barker said on SABC 1.

“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,” Barker concluded.

DO YOU AGREE WITH STEVE BARKER?

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