27th January, 2012
Coach Ludewijk de Kruif has lashed out at Nigerian referees, claiming that their actions do not allow away teams to win.
Heartland lost 1-0 to Sunshine Stars on Wednesday on the back of a heavily disputable penalty that left the Dutchman fuming.
“In Nigeria, the home team always win and the away team always lose. The referees do not help the game,” De Kruif said. “With this kind of officiating, football cannot develop.”
Heartland should have had a penalty when a Sunshine Stars player handled the ball in the box, but the referee dismissed the appeal. However, when Heartland’s Emmanuel Olowo and Sunshine Stars’ Dele Olorundare tangled innocuously in the box, referee Sylvester Okobi pointed to the spot, to the dismay of the Heartland side. Godfrey Oboabuna duly put away the spot kick to hand Sunshine Stars the victory.