Hlungwani weighs in on Pirates incidents

Former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani believes Orlando Pirates were fortunate to avoid punishment for Selaelo Rasebotja’s dangerous tackle on Deolin Mekoa, although he acknowledged that two other officiating decisions were accurate.

The Buccaneers faced a surprising 3-2 defeat against Magesi FC in the first round of the Carling Knockout Cup at Orlando Stadium this past weekend.

According to Hlungwani, they should have faced three correct calls against them rather than just two.

Analyzing the contentious moments from the match, he asserted that Rasebotja deserved a red card for his tackle on Mekoa in the first half.

“There was serious foul play. Someone should’ve walked there,” Hlungwani stated on SABC Sport’s Soccerzone.

“Selaelo there [tackle on Mekoa] survived. If you can check there, he went for the ankle, so that player should’ve been sent off for serious foul play. He survived.”

The second incident involved Elvis Chipezeze’s challenge on Patrick Maswanganyi in the penalty area.

Although Pirates players argued for a penalty, Hlungwani dismissed this, saying the referee made the right call by favoring Chipezeze since the ball had changed direction.

“Chipezeze there made a challenge. The ball changed direction,” he noted.

“We are not sure who touched the ball between the attacker and Chipezeze, but the ball changed directions which gives benefits to the goalkeeper there.

“Therefore, the referee correctly positioned. Pirates players surrounding him some with unsporting behaviour.”

Hlungwani emphasised, “If you look there, you can see that we are not sure who touched the ball between the two, so therefore, the infield decision stands when we are in that situation because we are not 100% sure.”

He concluded by praising assistant referee Zakhele Siwela for correctly flagging off Mohau Nkota’s last-minute equaliser.

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