Referee Robs Newcomers Peril

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Monday August 23, 2010 00:00

 

With the score locked at 1-1 with a minute into referee's optional time, Dintwa and Rapoo shockingly allowed Rollers' Sekhana 'Nandos' Koko to stab home the winner from outside the box with Black Peril's injured goalkeeper, Mosweu Thakadu rolling on the turf in agony.

Thakadu got injured when he clashed with Rollers defender Simisane Mathumo during goal-mouth melee and if Dintwa had applied the laws accordingly, he could have stopped play before Koko scored.

The Peril goalkeeper had to be ferried to Princess Marina Hospital and was replaced by infield player, Oaitse Leeme as the rookies had exhausted their substitutions.

Peril manager Gordon Kate who was at the hospital with Thakadu said the injury seemed to be serious and it might take time for him to recover.

'I am disappointed with the referee because he was not fair in that instance. I expected him (referee) to have protected our goalkeeper before that goal was scored,' he said.

'The x-ray show that I've a fracture on the left hip. I'm feeling much better now than yesterday (Saturday). I'm a bit disappointed with the referee and his assistant. Simisane (Mathumo) called me and I apologised. I've no hard feelings towards him because I don't think it was intentional,' said Thakadu from his hospital bed yesterday morning.

Throughout the game, Dintwa let a number of dirty tackles from both sides go unpunished. In the 18th minute, Peril defender Bonang Monyatsi limped off with a foot injury after a foul.

The referee did not take any action against the offending Rollers' player. When Dintwa decided to stamp his authority on the game, he flashed four yellow cards to players from the newly-promoted Tlokweng outfit.

That is why he earned the wrath of Peril coach Machine Nthaga at the end of the game. 'If you look at the overall performance, we acquainted ourselves well but we were let down by some decisions which didn't go our way.

The turning point was the second goal when he allowed Rollers to score when our goalkeeper was down injured,' Nthaga said. The coach stated that he has noted the mistakes they made in the game and will rectify them ahead of their clash against Mochudi Centre Chiefs in Molepolole on Friday night.

'We gave the ball away too much in the second half and I suspect that it was fatigue. We'll definitely bounce back (against Chiefs),' he promised.

Rollers' coach, Wesley Mondo said that his side struggled in the opening half because they were trying new combinations. He is hopeful that with time, the defending champions will become a force to reckon with. 'It is difficult to defend the title and it is good to have collected maximum points in our first match,' he said.

Peril had taken a surprise lead in the fourth minute through Benny Michelo. Substitute Phenyo Molefhe scored the equaliser before Koko's controversial winner.

This is how the teams lined up;

Black Peril: Thakadu- Batlhalefi Nakedi, Raymond Gumbo, Amu Mbotho, Bonang Banyatsi, Canny Gaontebale, Onneile Segwai (Tirafalo Senno 77), Monyatsi (Oaitse Leeme 18), Palo Palai, Ookeditse Olemetse (Lally Oabile 45), Bakang Masisi, Michelo. Coach: Machine Nthaga

Rollers: Kabelo Dambe- Simisane Mathumo, Edwin Olerile, Ndobane Mothuba, Oscar Ncenga, Amos Godirwang, Joel Mogorosi, Powell Abednico, Musonda Mweuku (Thapelo Balepi 45), Onalethata Tshekiso (Molefhe 80), Koko. Coach: Wesley Mondo

Man of the Match: Benny Michelo

Cautions: Mbotho 53, Palai 57, Michelo 82, Oabile 87.

Referee: Dintwa

Assistant Referees: Elijah Masitha and Rapoo

Fourth Official: Kebafilwe Ratshipo