REFEREES TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Raymond Jaravaza
CALL it a case of sour grapes or making noise for the right reasons, some Premier Soccer League coaches are up in arms with what they term aï¿½?patheticaï¿½? officiating by referees in the top flight league.

The 2016 season is only into Week Four and if reactions of coaches on the performance of referees is anything to go by then the relationship between the two parties is teetering on the verge of total collapse.

B-Metro Sport takes a look at some comments made by coaches.

And the football mentors are not mincing their words.

Saul Chaminuka, Border Strikers coach

After losing 1-0 to Triangle, the Border Strikers coach made his feelings towards the referee very clear.

aï¿½?The referee gave Triangle the game and this is why when there are tournaments such as Cosafa, Chan and Afcon we do not have Zimbabwean referees officiating. The referee gave Triangle the goal on a silver platter. When are coaches going be given the chance to win games when referees make such decisions? As coaches we end up being sanctioned (by the PSL) for questioning such decisions.

aï¿½?Even Chicken Inn did not win the league fair and square last season, it was this nonsense we saw today where referees give points to teams that do not deserve to win matches,aï¿½? thundered Chaminuka.

Clemence Mugari, Chapungu assistant coach
When Chapungu were beaten 1-0 by FC Platinum at Mandava courtesy of a penalty that was converted by Winston Mhango in the closing stages of the match, assistant coach Clement Mugari lost his cool.

He confronted FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza and accused him of bribing referee Ruzive Ruzive.

Mugari even refused to shake hands with Mapeza.

The Chapungu assistant coach was subsequently suspended by the airmen for bringing the club into disrepute with his conduct.

Jorge Paulo Silva, Dynamos coach
Moments after losing 1-0 to Chicken Inn in the semi finals of the Independence Cup temperamental Dynamos coach Paulo Jorge Silva told referee Norman Matemera aï¿½?to find another jobaï¿½?.

aï¿½?You are not a referee, find another job my friend,aï¿½? the Dynamos gaffer offered his advice to Matemera.

Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho FC coach

73 minutes into the match Highlanders captain Felix Chindungwe appeared to hack down Tsholotsho FC striker Nicholas Mundandishe in the box but a penalty appeal was turned down by referee Hardly Ndazi.

Tsholotsho coach Sweswe had no kind words for the referee after the match.

aï¿½?That was a clear penalty which was ruled out and sometimes we feel that officials protect big teams. I still cannot understand why the referee turned down the penalty appeal,aï¿½? said Sweswe.

Tsholotsho FC lost 2-1 on the day.

Philani aï¿½?Beefyaï¿½? Ncube, Bulawayo City FC coach
The Bulawayo City FC coach was left frustrated with the decision by assistant referee Nyarai Chirwa to disallow a 6th minute header by striker Mkhokheli Dube because the player was in an aï¿½?offsideaï¿½?Aï¿½ position.

The teams ultimately drew 1-1.

Even Bosso supporters that were seated in the VIP section at Barbourfields Stadium were left wondering if the assistant referee had done their team a favour by disallowing the goal.

aï¿½?I wouldnaï¿½ï¿½t say the away team (Highlanders) perhaps did something to the referee, but I think the goal we scored was genuine. But then there was something aï¿½?cock-eyeaï¿½ï¿½ from the assistant referee (Chirwa).aï¿½?