- Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Junior Khanye discusses the contentious penalty awarded to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby
- The former South African footballer dives into why he believes the referee's call could have gone either way
- Khanye also evaluates Pirates' performance in the match and shares his honest take on the game
Former Kaizer Chiefs legend Junior Khanye recently offered his thoughts on the dramatic penalty decision that handed Orlando Pirates victory in the first Soweto derby of the season. The game, filled with passion and intensity, saw Pirates snatch a late win thanks to a controversial call inside the box. As the dust settles, fans and analysts alike are weighing in on whether the call was justified.
The Buccaneers found themselves in the driver's seat when they were awarded a penalty late in the game. Patrick Maswanganyi, the Bafana Bafana star, confidently stepped up and converted the spot-kick, sealing all three points for Pirates at the iconic FNB Stadium. While the win was sweet for Pirates fans, it left Kaizer Chiefs supporters fuming over the referee's decision.
With the result, Pirates remain a strong contender in the Premier Soccer League, sitting comfortably in second place. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns continue to lead the standings, and Chiefs find themselves further down the table in fifth. But the debate over the match's pivotal moment continues to rage on.
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Khanye Breaks Down the Pirates Penalty
The late penalty awarded to Pirates after a tussle between Njabulo Blom and Relebohile Mofokeng in the box was nothing short of contentious. Mofokeng, a key player for Pirates, lost his balance after being pulled by Blom, leading the referee to point to the spot. Naturally, this decision didn’t sit well with Chiefs players or their fans, who were vocal in their protests.
During an appearance on iDiskiTV, Khanye shared his candid opinion on the incident. The former winger admitted that the penalty call was debatable and revealed that he wouldn’t have made the same call had he been in the referee’s shoes. His comments highlight the complexity of officiating in high-stakes matches like the Soweto derby.
“Let me explain this clearly. The penalty awarded to Pirates is certainly debatable. Some referees might have given it, while others wouldn’t. But if I were the one calling the shots, I wouldn’t have called it,” Khanye stated firmly. “However, I must say that going into this match, I truly believed Pirates had what it took to win. They were the better team on the day, and that’s why I don’t mind them taking the victory.”
“Even though they won, I don’t think Pirates played at their full potential against Chiefs. The chances they created were better than those of Chiefs, but they didn’t perform at their peak. That’s probably why the penalty seemed questionable to some. Pirates shouldn’t have relied on that kind of play to win, but thanks to their quality, the penalty stood.”
Khanye Reflects on Pirates' Performance
Khanye didn’t shy away from critiquing Pirates’ overall performance. While acknowledging their superiority in terms of chances created, he pointed out that they didn’t play to their full strength. The ex-international suggested that if Pirates had played at their peak, the penalty might not have been the deciding factor. Still, he admitted that the Buccaneers’ quality shone through, ultimately sealing the win.
“Pirates have a lot of talent, and they showed flashes of brilliance throughout the game. But they didn’t bring their A-game today. If they had, maybe the penalty wouldn’t have been necessary. Still, credit where it’s due—they capitalized on their opportunities and deserved the win.”
Fans React to Khanye's Take on the Derby
Khanye’s remarks sparked a range of reactions from fans across social media. Some agreed with his analysis, while others strongly disagreed, defending the validity of the penalty. Here’s what some fans had to say:
Paradigm Shift voiced his disagreement:
“That was a clear penalty. Coming from a Chiefs legend, this is exactly the type of biased analysis we’ve come to expect.”
BellymanRoots kept it simple:
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“We’ve lost the game, let’s just accept it and move on. There’s no point dwelling on the past.”
Touchmak_SA chimed in with his thoughts:
“Junior is showing bias here. There was a clear tug on the Chiefs player earlier, which should have been a yellow card. When the same happened to Pirates in the box, it became debatable, and the penalty shouldn’t have been given.”
Thulani73373119 provided a detailed response:
“For once, Junior said something that makes sense about Chiefs. If the referee felt the advantage didn’t work out for Mofokeng, he should have given the penalty. But if that’s the case, he should have also shown a red card to Sibisi for tripping Mmodi as the last man. Consistency is key in refereeing.”
Nathi1238 echoed Khanye’s sentiments:
“The referee seemed determined to make Chiefs lose. Allowing Rele to take a shot and then waiting for the ball to go just past the post before calling a penalty was a terrible call. It just didn’t feel right.”
Nabi Weighs In on the Derby Penalty
Earlier, Briefly News reported on Nasreddine Nabi’s take on the same penalty incident. The former AS FAR Rabat player admitted he’s cautious about sharing his true thoughts on such matters, fearing repercussions. Nevertheless, his insights added another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the match’s critical moment.
As the dust settles on this intense derby, one thing is clear: the Soweto derby will always be a hotbed of emotion, debate, and unforgettable moments. Whether you agree or disagree with Khanye’s take, one thing is certain—this game will be remembered for years to come.
