Golden Arrows’ head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, has expressed his disappointment and frustration over referee Akhona Makalima’s decision-making during their 1-0 loss to Magesi FC on Saturday.
Mngqithi firmly believes that his team was denied at least one clear penalty, which could have potentially altered the outcome of the match. He questioned the referee’s judgment, suggesting that some officials are making glaring errors without facing any consequences.
“The fact that referees can make such obvious mistakes without being held accountable is concerning,” Mngqithi said. “If officials are not punished for their errors, it’s challenging to see how we can improve the situation. We’re already facing a shortage of qualified referees, and we can’t afford to lose any more.”
Mngqithi acknowledged that referees, like all humans, can make honest mistakes. However, he was particularly dismayed by the non-award of a penalty for a foul on Knox Mutizwa. He described the incident as a “clear and blatant foul” that occurred right in front of the referee.
Regarding another potential penalty incident involving Sibeko, Mngqithi was more cautious, stating that he needed to review the footage to form a definitive opinion.
“I’m not convinced that the defender got to the ball first,” Mngqithi said. “I saw a defender behind and a player in front falling, but the ball wasn’t in front of him. I need to take another look at the footage to be sure.”
The Golden Arrows coach lamented the impact that referees’ mistakes can have on the game, citing similar incidents involving other teams, including Richards Bay and SuperSport.
“It’s sad to see referees making mistakes that can change the outcome of a match,” Mngqithi said. “We’ve seen it happen to other teams, and it’s frustrating to see it happen to us. But I think it’s just part of the game at this stage of the season.”
Mngqithi’s comments come after his team’s disappointing loss, which leaves them in 10th place on the log with 24 points.