Mthatha Bucks officials defended their action of invading the pitch during the tumultuous National First Division clash against Highlands Park at Mthatha Stadium on Saturday.
Bucks were humbled 3-1 in a match marred by controversial calls by the referee.
Besides denying the hosts what looked like clear goals, referee Tshidiso Mkhwanazi also failed to take action against Highlands Park goalie Tapuwa Kapini when he encroached into Bucks technical area considered as a transgression.
This sparked Bucks officials to invade the pitch and confront Mkhwanazi.
But Bucks chief operations officer Lunga “Doc” Tukute defended the action and instead expressed his disappointment on how the game was handled.
“I’m short of words, it was a good performance you could see the officials – they were against us,” he said.
“ We had two goals denied and they could have put us in a good place.
“We did not deserve to lose this game, same as last week against Mbombela United. It’s even worse losing a game like this at home, officials robbing us like.”
On Mkhwanazi’s failure to caution Kapini, Tukute said: “ A player is not allowed to go to the opposition’s bench. That’s not in the rules of football. So we were complaining about that because the fourth official was there watching him.
“All those things added to our frustrations, especially when it comes to the goals that were denied.
“I understand everyone’s frustrations, but they must learn that these things happen and there’s nothing we can do about them. Hence our technical team entered the pitch to complain to the referee.”
He appealed to the fans keep rallying behind the team.
“We are not in a good position and things like these start to happen, so all we’re asking for from the fans is patience, the desired results will come and we won’t be relegated.”
Tukute said the club was still waiting for the findings of the independent body which was handling the case of their players Luyolo Nomandela and Sifiso Ntjolo both suspended for ill discipline.
“We had to have someone who would be neutral in the matter to handle the case, so we still awaiting those results and then we take a decision as a team based on those findings.
“I think we’ll issue a statement before our next league game against Jomo Cosmos.”
Today Bucks will officially introduce their new head Duncan Lechesa who will fill the shoes of Ian Palmer who parted ways with Amathol’amnyama last month following their losing streak.
“We introduced him to the team over the weekend and he will take over from now on. When we play against Uthongathi he will be sitting on the bench.”
Bucks brush aside pitch invasion row
Bucks were humbled 3-1 in a match marred by controversial calls by the referee.
Besides denying the hosts what looked like clear goals, referee Tshidiso Mkhwanazi also failed to take action against Highlands Park goalie Tapuwa Kapini when he encroached into Bucks technical area considered as a transgression.
This sparked Bucks officials to invade the pitch and confront Mkhwanazi.
But Bucks chief operations officer Lunga “Doc” Tukute defended the action and instead expressed his disappointment on how the game was handled.
“I’m short of words, it was a good performance you could see the officials – they were against us,” he said.
“ We had two goals denied and they could have put us in a good place.
“We did not deserve to lose this game, same as last week against Mbombela United. It’s even worse losing a game like this at home, officials robbing us like.”
On Mkhwanazi’s failure to caution Kapini, Tukute said: “ A player is not allowed to go to the opposition’s bench. That’s not in the rules of football. So we were complaining about that because the fourth official was there watching him.
“All those things added to our frustrations, especially when it comes to the goals that were denied.
“I understand everyone’s frustrations, but they must learn that these things happen and there’s nothing we can do about them. Hence our technical team entered the pitch to complain to the referee.”
He appealed to the fans keep rallying behind the team.
“We are not in a good position and things like these start to happen, so all we’re asking for from the fans is patience, the desired results will come and we won’t be relegated.”
Tukute said the club was still waiting for the findings of the independent body which was handling the case of their players Luyolo Nomandela and Sifiso Ntjolo both suspended for ill discipline.
“We had to have someone who would be neutral in the matter to handle the case, so we still awaiting those results and then we take a decision as a team based on those findings.
“I think we’ll issue a statement before our next league game against Jomo Cosmos.”
Today Bucks will officially introduce their new head Duncan Lechesa who will fill the shoes of Ian Palmer who parted ways with Amathol’amnyama last month following their losing streak.
“We introduced him to the team over the weekend and he will take over from now on. When we play against Uthongathi he will be sitting on the bench.”
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