Moroka Swallows coach Gavin Hunt has slammed the referee of Saturdays Soweto derby for not apologising for his glaring mistake in awarding Orlando Pirates a second-half penalty.
Referee Janos Nhlapo gave the spot kick after he adjudged Birds defender Warren Lewis to have touched the ball with his hand when television replays clearly show that he did not.
Bucs striker James Mothibi converted to bring his team back into the game after they had trailed 2-0 courtesy of first-half strikes from Samuel Ngobeni and Lewis.
With five minutes remaining Jimmy Kauleza ensured the Sea Robbers a share of the spoils when he headed home a rebound off Birds keeper Greg Etafia.
"One never wants to conceded a goal when playing a team like Pirates because when they score it makes them even hungrier to get another goal, Hunt told SASoccer365.com on Monday.
So when the referee gave them that penalty I knew immediately that he had given them another life.
And then to make matters worse he had harshly sent one of my players off earlier.
But what really leaft a bitter taste in Hunts mouth was the lack of remorse from Nhlapo for his error.
Look referees are only human and can make mistakes, conceded Hunt.
However, I think they should be man enough to put their hands up when they have given an incorrect decision.
Nhlapo must have seen a replay of the penalty incident and it would have been really nice if he could of just been honest and admitted to his mistake.
Hunt last week had his contract extended for another two years by the Swallows management.
The Dube Birds currently occupy fourth position on the Castle Premiership standings, eight points behind leaders Ajax Cape Town.
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