Fernando Da Cruz Questions Officiating After Kaizer Chiefs’ Soweto Derby Defeat To Orlando Pirates

“It Was Offside And Maybe There’s A Red Card” — Da Cruz Questions Referee After Chiefs’ Soweto Derby Defeat

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz has questioned key refereeing decisions following his side’s painful 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.

The Frenchman believes Amakhosi were disadvantaged by decisions involving Pirates’ opening goal and a possible second yellow card for an opposing player. His comments have added another talking point to an already heated encounter between South Africa’s two biggest football rivals.

Despite Chiefs showing promising attacking football during the opening half, they failed to turn their opportunities into a commanding lead. Pirates eventually secured all three points, extending their winning run in the Betway Premiership and moving to the top of the standings.

Speaking after the match, Da Cruz insisted that Chiefs should have done more with their first-half dominance. However, he also pointed to the officiating as a factor that influenced the contest.

“In the first half we must kill this game. Normally, 2 or 3-0 because the goal of Pirates, we’ve seen it’s offside and maybe there is a red card as well,” Da Cruz said, as reported by iDiski Times.

The Chiefs coach was referring to Yanela Mbuthuma’s opening goal, scored in the 24th minute. The striker finished a Pirates counterattack to put the home side ahead, although Da Cruz questioned whether the goal should have stood.

He also believed a Pirates player should have received a second yellow card, which would have resulted in a dismissal.

“If we score two or three goals, we’re gonna kill this game,” he added.

These were Da Cruz’s assessments of the incidents, rather than confirmed findings that the referee had made incorrect decisions.

Amakhosi responded quickly after falling behind, with Pule Mmodi equalising in the 30th minute following a mistake by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

The teams went into the break level at 1-1, with Chiefs having enjoyed promising spells and created opportunities to take control of the match.

However, Pirates returned with greater purpose after the interval. Tshepang Moremi scored in the 55th minute following a quick attacking move involving Thapelo Mokobodi, restoring the Buccaneers’ advantage.

Chiefs struggled to produce the same attacking threat during the closing stages, while Pirates created further opportunities to extend their lead.

Da Cruz acknowledged that his young players lacked experience and energy towards the end of the encounter.

The coach nevertheless praised his players for their overall performance, pointing out that the team had several injured players unavailable.

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