Former FIFA referee Ace Ncobo has discussed the build-up to Yusuf Maart’s wonder goal in the Soweto Derby, saying there was a foul by Khama Billiat on Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo in the build-up.
Maart’s strike from his own half lit up the derby in the 74th minute, sending Kaizer Chiefs’ players, bench and fans into eruptions.
It also ensured Chiefs 1-0 win the derby, which resulted in the Amakhosi overtaking their bitter rivals on the log ahead of the FIFA World Cup break.
However, Ncobo insisted there was a foul by Billiat on Ndlondlo in the build-up, even though he highlighted he doesn’t want to take anything away from Maart’s brilliant goal, but according to the laws of the game there was a foul before.
“Taking nothing away from the brilliance of Maart, who is scoring the goal,” he said on SuperSport’s Extra Time.
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“That’s the hand to the face. We’ve spoken earlier about hand to the face [is an] obligatory yellow card, obligatory free-kick. You’ve got to give it.
“But the unfortunate moment is who would’ve expected that moment to take place? Neither the refree, neither the assistant or any other player on the field of play.
“The fact of the matter is there was a foul, hand to the face, should’ve been a yellow card, should’ve been a free-kick.
“But we’re not taking anything away from the brilliance of the moment but we’re saying… Maart did brilliant but there was an infringement on the laws of the game – the dispossession that took place fell foul on the laws of the game.”
