Kopo has accused a match official of making a “xenophobic statement” towards Bienvenu Eva Nga in a match against AmaZulu FC.
In a game where AmaZulu FC managed to secure a remarkable turnaround, clinching their first Betway Premiership victory of the season on Tuesday night, a dispute erupted between the two teams, culminating in the red card of-a 30 year old Abbubaker Mobara.
While the Chippa coach acknowledged Usuthu’s victory as being “won fairly,” he had notable dissatisfaction with certain officiating decisions.
Kopo revealed that he overheard Cameroonian striker Eva Nga complaining to assistant referee Kamohelo Ramutsindela about a missed foul against the opponents.
In response, the linesman allegedly told Nga that he talked too much and would be dealt with.
Another incident saw a heated exchange between Eva Nga and Ramutsindela, during which the assistant referee, according to Kopo, reminded the former Orlando Pirates player of his foreign status and the need to show respect.
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“The sad thing is that if you say anything to them they hold all the power if you say anything to them they tell you I’ll send you off now,” he continued.
“Now, how do we deal with the situation where a match official, a FIFA accredited match official says to a Cameroonian player, ‘Which country are you from? This my country you must respect me’.
“… and I didn’t want to say too many things in the post-match interview because they are so protected in South Africa.
“You know there’s also this referee’s discretion. When you ask why doesn’t he give a yellow card to Ighodaro? No, it’s up to the referees discretion. Then why do we need the laws if everything is up to the referees discretion?”
Match Highlights: AmaZulu vs Chippa United – Betway Premiership
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