Outspoken footballer-turned-analyst Junior Khanye has commented on the penalty which was awarded to Kaizer Chiefs against Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby at the weekend.
In Saturday’s match at the FNB Stadium, Pirates thought they would go home with a point at least, after equalizing in the 87th minute through in-form midfielder Linda Mntambo, who cancelled out Keagan Dolly’s strike from early in the second half to level the score at 1-1 with a few minutes to go.
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However, the Buccaneers’ joy was short-lived as Amakhosi were awarded a penalty by referee Victor Hlungwani in injury time, following a challenge inside the box between Bucs defender Olisa Ndah and Chiefs forward Khama Billiat.
Dolly converted the resultant spot-kick to complete his brace and to help Chiefs to a 2-1 victory.
The penalty incident was one of the major talking points as it decided the outcome of the match, after it looked like the two giants of South African football would share the spoils.
After the match, Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids questioned the legitimacy of the penalty and said Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter came to apologise after the match.
“I must admit that the penalty incident was very difficult for one to make a decision on right away, because to me the tussle looked like a 50/50 challenge. One thing that makes it so difficult for me to judge is that, as a human being, it is naturally impossible for you to not open your arms when you jump. That is why I thought that the referee should have at least given the benefit of doubt to the defender,” said Khanye, speaking to the Siya crew.
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“But when I got home and looked at the incident over and over again on the highlights, I could see that Ndah had his hand on Billiat’s neck and pulled him down, although I am not sure if the pull was that much for Khama to fall on the ground the way he did. But there was definitely contact, and he pulled him down. But, having said that, I am almost certain that another referee wouldn’t have called it. Another referee wouldn’t have blown for that incident, while maybe another one would have still blown for it. It was 50/50, for me,” Khanye added.
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