Sekhukhune United coach Lehlohonolo Seema has vehemently denied accusations of benefiting from match officials following claims made by Diables Noirs Cyril Ndonga.
Cyril Ndonga alleged that Sekhukhune United had received favourable treatment from match officials during the CAF Confederation Cup Group D encounter on Sunday night.
Sekhukhune beat Congo Brazzaville side Diables Noirs 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium to register their first win of the group stages. Lehlohonolo Seema’s men came back from a goal down after Alves Ngakosso-Oko broke the deadlock in the 27th minute of the game before Kamohelo Sithole levelled matters in the 30th minute.
Just a minute before the half-time break, former Kaizer Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso scored a stunner from outside the box to give the Limpopo side the three points. However, the visiting side’s coach Ndonga, was furious with the outcome, accusing match officials of biased officiating in favour of Sekhukhune.
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“The referee chose their camp. Most of the fouls committed by us, the match officials ruled in favour of Sekhukhune, including the offsides,” said Ndonga.
“Sekhukhune was given all the advantage on fouls and offsides, so that is very bad. “So it’s disappointing; the bench of Sekhukhune were communicating with the fourth official, which led him to do wrong things.
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“That is very bad for the African continent…It’s an injustice. We were crucified. The referee must never be impartial. They must be partial,” he added. Seema has strongly refuted these accusations, insisting that his team’s success is solely down to hard work and dedication.
“They had found we had fouls, they had corners, we had corners. I don’t think they had yellow cards, but we had yellow cards. So if you have lost, accept,” he Seema.
“We lost in Morocco and I can talk until the morning about the referees. Every time there is a match something will be said about the referees, I don’t know. You were here and I watched the game, and I didn’t see the referees being biased if that’s what he said.
“But talking about us, thank God they were talking the language I don’t understand so I don’t know what he was saying because I was focusing on getting the points for the team which is what we did. One thing we have learned as a club is that you forget about the officiating, focus and prepare your team. If the officiating is bad, score more goals than the opponent, you will still win the game.”