Tusker head coach Robert Matano has come down heavily on South African referee Thando Ndzandzeka for disallowing a first half goal in their barren draw against CS Sfaxien at the Nyayo National Stadium.CAF CC: CS Sfaxien hold Tusker in NairobiThe Kenyan champions appeared to have taken the lead early in the game when Jackson Macharia forced the ball past the line but was adjudged to have used his arm to direct the ball into the net. Matano differed with Ndzandzeka in the post match interview saying that the goal would have stood as Macharia headed the ball into the net contrary to the whistler’s version. The veteran tactician noted that had the goal been awarded, they would have won the game in a convincing way. “I feel we were denied a legitimate goal. Macharia headed the ball in and I am sure the video replays will vindicate me. Had he made the right call, we would have scored more,” he lamented. The former AFC Leopards coach further blamed the colour-less show to the horrific injury his left back Hillary Wandera suffered few minutes to the half time whistle.FULL TIME at the Nyayo National Stadium. The match ends in a barren draw. pic.twitter.com/VOIunqBPVW— 🏆Tusker FC (@tusker_fc) November 28, 2021 Wandera fell akwardly while attempting to stop a Sfaxien attacker who had weaved his way to the box and it took the medics six minutes to administer immediate aid before being rushed to the hospital.Matano said his players developed cold feet and the six minutes killed the momentum and dominance they had.”Wandera’s injury affected my players psychologically. Before the injury we were were playing well and the momentum was good,” he said.Meanwhile, Matano watered down suggestions that the result had complicated their chances of sailing to the group stages.The tactician who highlighted the weakness depicted by the Sfaxien defence said they will be going for nothing short of win in Tunis.”I noticed their defence was not solid enough and it is easy to penetrate it. The pressure is now on their side as a scoring draw will get us through. We will be going for a win,” he added.
