Referee Bennett spoils cup game
Referee Bennett spoils cup game

Posted in News on Nov 29, 2002.

Referee Daniel Bennett's disregard of the rules spoiled the final of the Coca-Cola Cup between defending champions Kaizer Chiefs and challengers Jomo Cosmos at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.



Cosmos, who were humiliated 5-0 by Chiefs in last year's final at the same venue, avenged that defeat by a narrow 1-0 win via the left-foot of Mozambican international Manuel Bucuane in the 34th minute.



In the 59th minute, Cosmos defender Sam Magalefa and Chiefs

midfielder, Jabu Pule, were involved in a bad tussle for the ball,

which forced the game to be stopped temporarily as fans threw

assortments of missiles onto the field.



In the 85th minute, Magalefa appeared to bring down Pule in the

Cosmos penalty area.



Chiefs vociferous fans, who outnumbered Cosmos supporters by thousands, erupted in jubilation, hoping for a penalty, but were left dumbfounded when Bennett instructed Pule to get up.



The referee's decision angered the Chief's fans who once again threw missiles onto the pitch, hitting Chiefs' player Fabian McCarthy and a referee assistant.



Officials had to suspend play for 40 minutes until the crowd violence subsided.



CEO of the Premier Soccer League, Trevor Philips, a Cosmos representative and Chiefs' manager Boby Motaung were all involved in deliberations as to whether the game should proceed.



Eventually it was decided that the four minutes remaining would be played.



As for the game itself,both teams made changes with John "Shoes"

Moshoeu coming on for defender David Kannemeyer in an attempt to

beef up their attack.



Meanwhile, Bamuza Sono was introduced for Esau Kanyenda, the Malawian international, who failed dismally to live up to the midweek hype.



But Cosmos made a grave mistake of allowing Pule to do as he pleased in their backyard. He tormented defenders forcing them to back-pedal and that allowed Chiefs to invade their area.



Pule, Thabo Moki and Stanton Fredericks inter-changed passes leaving Cosmos defenders wanting, but their efforts counted to zero as nothing came out of their moves.



Cosmos, who had not won any silverware since taking the Bobsave

Super Bowl in 1990, went on to pocket R2 million and a trophy, while

Chiefs settled for a million.

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