Cedric Kaze mum on officiating after Pirates MTN8 defeat

22.08.26 FT MTN 8 Cup South Africa

Sekhukhune United

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Orlando Pirates

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Sekhukhune United head coach Cedric Kaze refrained from commenting about the officiating after their 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final clash on Saturday.

Babina Noko succumbed to a strike from Deon Hotto on the stroke of half-time, conceding the crucial away goal in the process, ahead of the return leg at the Orlando Amstel Arena a week later.

Kaze, meanwhile, was visibly unhappy on the touchline with some of the decisions that went against his team, but kept his cards close to his chest when pressed for comment about the officiating.

“The officiating, I don't want to talk about it because I don't want to get into trouble. And I'm just going to leave it to them and probably they did their best,” said the Burundian tactician.

While his troops are on the backfoot heading into the reverse fixture at the Arena, the former Kaizer Chiefs co-coach is confident of securing a favourable result, with 90 minutes left to overturn the deficit.

“Going into the second game, it's true that the chances are there, that's the biggest and the important thing. We have 90 minutes to play and we are 1-0 down,” Kaze added.

"The chances are there and it's up to us to maximize those chances and take the situation hands on.

Kaze will be eager to eliminate the title holders Pirates, who have won the MTN8 four times in a row, as he looks to become the first coach to guide Sekhukhune to their first final in the competition.

Notably, the two teams will square off in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday, 25 August, before the cup tie, in what will be the second meeting of a rare triple-header.

Hlayisani Magoro

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Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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