'Maritzburg United Player Dived to Fool Referee for Controversial Penalty Against Orlando Pirates': Ace Ngcobo

'Maritzburg United Player Dived to Fool Referee for Controversial Penalty Against Orlando Pirates': Ace Ngcobo

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:11 PM
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  • Those connected to Orlando Pirates were given even more to be bitter about following their 1-0 loss to Maritzburg United on Sunday
  • The People's Team was given a ridiculous penalty late in the match that led to the winning goal
  • Buccaneers defender Olisa Ndah was penalised for barely making contact with striker Siboniso Conco, who made a meal of it and was rewarded for his theatrics by referee Tshidiso Maruping

Former referee Andile "VAR" Ncobo has confirmed what many knew regarding a controversial incident from the past weekend.

Speaking on SuperSport show Extra Time, Ncobo said that Maritzburg United striker Siboniso Conco made the most of duping referee Tshidiso Maruping into awarding what would be the winning penalty against Orlando Pirates.

orlando pirates, olisa ndah, siboniso conco, ace ncobo, supersport, extra time, maritzburg united, tshidiso maruping, penalty, diving, simulation
'Maritzburg United Player Dived to Fool Referee for Controversial Penalty Against Orlando Pirates': Ace Ngcobo. Image source: @SuperSportTV and @UnplayableZA.
Source: Twitter

Discussing Bucs defender Olisa Ndah being penalised for barely touching the wily Conco as he bore down on goal, Ncobo said to host Thomas Mlambo:

"If there is no contact and the player goes down in that fashion with the intention to fool the referee into believing that there is an infringement on the laws of the game, it is referred to as 'simulation'. This is punishable by the awarding of an indirect against that [striker] and caution by showing him a yellow card."

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Ex-Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe, who is on the review show's panel, instead chose to criticise Ndah for falling for Conco's skulduggery, saying:

"Ndah has played for Nigeria and is way too experienced to fall for that. There was no ways that Conco was going to get to that ball."

Bitter Orlando Pirates fans call for VAR after controversial Maritzburg United defeat

Orlando Pirates supporters are in a sour mood today.

This follows a disappointing 1-0 loss to Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, Sports Brief reported. The loss saw their stay at the top of the DStv Premiership come to an end.

Amadou Soukou converted a controversial penalty in the 80th minute to settle what was an entertaining match. United's Siboniso Conco made the most of a touch from Pirates defender Olisa Ndah in the box, which saw the referee award the spot kick.

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Keba Mothoagae
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DStv PremiershipSouth AfricaSouth Africa Football Association (SAFA)