"Kaizer Chiefs' penalties are legitimate" - Victor Hlungwani


By Neo Poho

Former FIFA referee Victor Tinyiko Hlungwani has expressed his views on speculations that Kaizer Chiefs is 'benefiting' from referees' decisions in the current DSTV Premiership campaign.

This comes after Kaizer Chiefs defeated Stellenbosch FC 2-1 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday night with Amakhosi receiving a penalty in the 10th minute of the encounter after Ashley Du Preez was fouled in the penalty box by Olwethu Makhanya.

Du Preez stood up and converted from the spot, this was the 8th penalty this season that has been awarded to Chiefs in open play football.

With Amakhosi having defeated Stellenbosch before in the reverse fixture last year courtesy of Caleb Bimenyimana's hat-trick of penalties, Stellies head coach Steve Barker was left fuming on Saturday night as he made some frustrated remarks during his post match interview about Kaizer Chiefs.

"I think Kaizer Chiefs must have training sessions with only 10 players more often than any other club in the league because it seems like that's all they play against, 10 men at training and penalties that's all.

"I don't deny that some of the free-kicks given against us were actually legitimate but how many did we get ? Not even one free kick in situations where even my players were held not one free kick was given," Barker said.

Just like in the reverse fixture, Stellenbosch FC were down to 10 men on Saturday night after Sage Stephens handled the ball outside of his box much to the frustration of Barker.

Amid Barker's frustrations and reaction to the match official, Hlungwani has came forward to clear the air on the decisions taken by the referee and reckons that the match official was spot on.

"I watched the match live at the stadium and I compared the game to the other matches and I really commend the referee for awarding those legitimate decisions.

"You have to understand that Chiefs has fast and speedy runners like Christian Saile and Du Preez who at most times catch the defenders off guard so I would advice coach Barker to do his job and get the tactical approach right," Hlungwani said.

With a lot of question marks around Chiefs also seeing their opponents receive red cards on nine occasions this season with the last three being against Orlando Pirates, Richards Bay and Stellenbosch FC, Hlungwani said they were all legitimate.

"Red card against Stephens was a good call because he committed a tactical foul that deserves a straight red card, even with the Richards Bay goalkeeper it was a clear red card and as for Innocent Maela in the derby he prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity with Saile having only the keeper to beat, so good call again from the referee," Hlungwani added.

Amakhosi next face Marumo Gallants in the DSTV Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening, kick-off is at 20:00.

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Kaizer Chiefs

Victor Hlungwani

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