Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has claimed that Sibongiseni ‘Ox’ Mthethwa outshone Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi in Sunday’s MTN8 semi-final first-leg tie, questioning the decision to award the Bucs midfielder the man of the match award.
The Buccaneers came from behind to win 2-1 at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, with Patrick Maswanganyi instrumental in both goals. He sent in a cross for Zakhele Lepasa to head in the equaliser before setting up Deon Hotto for the winner in stoppage time.
BARKER EXPLAINS HOW MTHETHWA OUTSHONE MASWANGANYI
However, Barker believes that Stellenbosch FC’ ‘Ox’ Mthethwa was the more deserving recipient of the award. Mthethwa was a midfield colossus, single-handedly neutralizing Pirates’ duo Thabang Monare and Phillip Ndlondlo, even after Stellies were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Thabo Moloisane.
“I heard that Sibongiseni Mthethwa was named Man of the Match until they scored a goal,” Barker told the media after the match. “I don’t know why it changes because I thought he was, for me, the best player in the park by far.
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“For him to play the way he has and still have that amount of energy and desire to chase and press and try to get something for the team, for me, it makes a coach proud to see a player make an effort as he does and like everybody else did.”
Barker also praised the performance of his players, who he said showed great character to fight back after going behind.
“I’m very proud of the boys,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game against a good Pirates side, but we showed great character and determination to get a result.”
The second leg of the semi-final will be played at Orlando Stadium on September 29.