Eric Tinkler (Rooster Pictures)
Red-faced and frustrated Cape Town head coach Eric Tinkler spoke about the standard of refereeing in South Africa’s top flight following their penalty shootout loss to Royal AM in the round of 32 clash of the Nedbank Cup at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
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Visiting Thwihli Thwahla held the Citizens to a goalless draw after regulation time in a game the hosts were favorites to win, given their wasted chances.
However, John Maduka, who returned to the KwaZulu-Natal side as a mentor, and his charges put on a bold defensive display. They dragged the game to a penalty shootout, winning 4-3 and advancing to this week’s round of 16 draw.
But Bafana Bafana legend Tinkler felt his team should have been awarded a penalty, calling referee Michael Moreseng’s officiating “poor” during his post-match press conference.
The 51-year-old arbitrator said more needs to be done to improve the standard of refereeing in the country.
“The way I see it, there should be a winner tonight. This is the harsh reality. And the one who has to deal with it is me. I have to deal with it.”
“Refs make mistakes, they don’t have to deal with anything. I have to deal with the repercussions.
“I have to deal with the president and explain why we lost when we shouldn’t have. Then I have to deal with the players and the disappointment. People don’t see that side.”
“We need to do a lot more when it comes to our officiating because it’s costing coaches their livelihoods because they’re being judged for referee errors.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be talking about this, but I am talking about it.”
Tinkler was then asked how his team lost against Royal AM.
“According to me? Penalties that weren’t awarded, bad refereeing and, yeah, we didn’t take our chances, that’s how we lost.
“But did we play well? Yes. I know exactly how we are judged as coaches: ‘Did you win? Did you lose?’
“Everything that happened in the game, nobody cares, but he understands that we care, the players care.
“We need to do something about it. [refereeing in SA]. Make them full-time professionals. That must be the solution. What other thing? What else is there?”
“CAF is even worse. I was angry. Understand how we lost there, don’t tell me ‘we lost,'” Tinkler said, referring to City’s second CAF Champions League preliminary loss to Petro de Luanda in October of the year past.
“That’s important. It’s locked away. We don’t read anymore. I have to be careful what I say.”
Last week, the South African Football Association (SAFA) suspended two referees following complaints.
SAFA took action against Cledwin Baloyi, who was first assistant when he denied a clear goal for Swallows FC in their Dstv Premiership match against TS Galaxy last month.
Tshidiso Maruping is also serving a touchline timeout after his incorrect decision to give Golden Arrows a penalty against SuperSport United.
Meanwhile, City are back in action on Sunday against Swallows, turning their attention back to the premiership.
The start is at 17:30.
