A former FIFA referee has weighed in on the controversial penalty
decision during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-1 victory over Durban City on
Saturday evening.
The talking point arose when referee Tshidiso Mkwanazi awarded Durban City
a spot kick after Malibongwe Khoza was adjudged to have fouled Trevor
Bokang Mokwena inside the box.
Although Joslin Kamatuka failed to convert—his effort superbly saved by
Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams—the decision sparked protests from the
Sundowns players, who felt the call was harsh.
However, former FIFA referee and match commissioner on the day, Jerome
Damon, defended the official’s decision, insisting it was the correct
call.
“The Sundowns defender trips the Durban City player by making contact
with his left leg, which causes the attacker’s left leg to knock into
his right leg, resulting in him falling,” Damon told Soccer Laduma in an
exclusive interview.“It was denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but because the
Sundowns player was challenging for the ball, the correct decision was a
penalty kick.”
Despite the missed penalty, Sundowns went on to secure all three points,
keeping them firmly in the title race. The defending champions sit second
on the Betway Premiership log with 18 points—just one behind leaders
Sekhukhune United, who still have a game in hand.
