Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has revealed what riled them up about the referee during their 1-0 win over Al Ahly.
Sundowns were notably at loggerheads with Morrocan official Jiyed Redouane throughout their clash at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday evening with co-coach Rulani Mokwena even being sent off after half an hour.
The Masandawana coach received two bookable offences for arguing with the officials with his usual calm demeanour put to the test – andMngqithi says the incident with Mweene was one that really upset them.
“No to be honest we weren’t fighting as such but the referee presumed our goalkeeper was trying to waste time. But the truth is that he was found and we tried to clear the ball out so that the goalkeeper could get attention,” he said.
“But he didn’t allow, he allowed Ahly to play while he saw the keeper was down, we were not faking or trying to waste time, we hardly do that.
“And that’s basically what made us try and talk to tell them we’re not trying to waste time but we’re concerned that the goalkeeper was injured. With refereeing, you never want to say whether you were happy with them or not because the truth of the matter is they are also human beings that make mistakes sometimes.
“We must accept people make mistakes, they have made mistakes and we forgive because in the game of football it may favour you it may go against you. They are human beings and we don’t want to kill that human factor in football.”
Sundowns are now firmly in control of their destiny of Group A with seven points from three games after securing four points during their 12-day stay in Cario – drawing with Al-Merrikh and the historic win over Ahly.
