Speaking after their 2-1 loss to Maritzburg United, Mamelodi Sundowns co head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says it was unfortunate to lose in a dominant performance, and because of refereeing decisions.
Maritzburg won after scoring two controversial goals, in a victory at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night.
Mngqithi was not pleased with the officiating of Thando Ndzanzeka and his team, recalling how the same official was also in charge for Sundowns’ only other loss of the season.
“It’s very unfortunate, I think we had a very dominant performance, we created far too many chances to win the match, we must blame ourselves for the chances we didn’t take,” he said after the game.
“The truth of the matter is we should have taken those chances, there were far too many, but when you don’t take your chances you get published.
“The only sad thing is that we have lost our second match of the season and both matches that we’ve lost was because of dubious decisions, the first lost to AmaZulu was a clear off-side.
“The second loss now; the first goal, Ndengane is climbing on top of Thapelo in the view of the referee, it’s not that he was impeded, he could see what’s happening.
“That was the equaliser, then again, the penalty, the boy was diving before even Kennedy even makes a tackle and it results in a penalty and we lose a match like that.
“Now you are saying to yourself, do you have to lose a match because of decisions of a referee or do we have to lose matches because we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do.
“We take the blame for not scoring as many goals that we could have scored, but on the other side we’re saying no man, let’s not turn our league into a banana league.”
Sundowns have a Nedbank Cup clash against Mathaithai in mid-week before facing Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League on Saturday.
