Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has opened up on the performance of referee Eugene Mdluli after a controversial decision not to award a penalty against Cape Town Spurs.
The Buccaneers could not clinch back-to-back wins in the DStv Premiership after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Spurs on Wednesday evening.
With the score locked at 1-1 after Gabriel Michael cancelled out an opener by Relebohile Mofokeng, in the dying minutes, the Soweto giants had a big penalty claim after Zakhele Lepasa was brought down in the box by Denwin Farmer.
TV replays showed a clear kick in the box after Farmer missed the flight of the ball and kicked Lepasa, but Mdluli instead awarded a corner-kick.
READ | Chiefs star sends Pirates a warning ahead of Soweto Derby
However, Riveiro, in the post-match press conference, was more critical of his side's performance than of the referee.
"I don't think this is the space to analyze the referee's performance, I've never seen the referee training with us during the week. He's not part of our team. I can only speak about my team and not put excuses about some of the other elements around," Riveiro told reporters at Orlando Stadium.
"Because tomorrow the referee is not coming to training. He's not gonna be with us on Friday, he's not gonna camp with us, so it's something we cannot control," he added.
READ | Riveiro: They need to feel the pain
Bucs missed the chance to occupy second spot on the table ahead of the Soweto Derby against nemesis Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, as they remained in fifth spot with 30 points, one behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC.
Pirates have had a winning streak in the league of at least two games only twice this season.
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