TUT defender Katlego Mokwena’s Varsity Football campaign ended in controversial circumstances when he was stretchered off the field after sustaining a head injury.
TUT were left fuming as NMMU snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time to end the game in Tshwane deadlocked at 2-2.
In the buildup to the equaliser in the 94th minute, Mokwena collided with a NMMU striker in the box but the referee turned a blind eye. The assistant referee’s flag was raised as the player lay on the ground unconscious, but the referee waved played on.
NMMU played to the whistle in the top of the table clash, with defender Niven Kops producing a spectacular overhead kick to steal a point at the death.
Mokwena was treated for a nearly five minutes on the field before he was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
TUT coach Bushy Moloi could not hide his frustrations at the match official and questioned the decision that led to the equaliser.
Moloi said: “The boy sustained a serious head injury and we were told that he’s out for six weeks. To say that I’m not happy with the officiating would be an understatement, I’m disappointed and angry. That was a poor decision of the highest order. After a head injury we expect the whistle to be blown immediately.”
TUT players expected NMMU players to kick the ball out of play but the opposition played to the whistle and scored. The visitors were desperate to level the score and within their rights to launch an attack which yielded a goal. The five minutes additional time was a result of the injury to Mokwena.
The result leaves TUT and NMMU as the only unbeaten teams in the competition after six rounds of matches.
However, TUT were not discouraged by dropping two points at home and are confident of beating Wits in their last game at home on Monday to hold on to their top spot.
“We could have won this match but it didn’t end that way we just have to keep on working hard,” said Moloi.
The Port Elizabeth outfit took the lead in the second minute through a penalty by Leroy van Rensburg.
But TUT fought back to take control of the game and led 2-1 only to lose it with virtually the last kick of the game.
Busakwe Sonwabiso scored what looked like a winner with twenty minutes to go.
Moloi showered his team with praise at the way they handled themselves in the game.
“I can tell you that both teams wanted to take it easy but the sad part was that we conceded an early goal. But we managed to come back and we were unlucky in numerous situations. We forced them into committing too many errors. But they were a hard nut to crack they are organized at the back,” he said.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
