Former FIFA referee Ace Ncobo has come forward to praise South African referee Masixole Bambiso for his controversial decision to award Orlando Pirates a late penalty during the highly anticipated Soweto derby on Saturday, 1 February 2025. Ncobo, who has extensive experience officiating in both local and international football, commended Bambiso for displaying both bravery and intelligence when making the crucial call. The penalty, which was converted by Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi, ultimately secured a 1-0 victory for the Bucs over their fierce rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.
The decision to award the penalty has sparked heated debates among fans, with many questioning the fairness of the call. The incident unfolded when Chiefs’ Njabulo Blom fouled Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng inside the penalty area. Despite Mofokeng initially shooting wide of goal following the foul, Bambiso made the bold decision to stop the play and point to the spot. Some fans, particularly those supporting Chiefs, argued that the call was too harsh, especially considering Mofokeng’s inability to convert the chance immediately after the foul.
However, Ncobo, in his analysis, defended Bambiso’s decision, highlighting that the referee’s judgment was correct based on the laws of the game. According to Ncobo, Blom’s actions—holding Mofokeng with both hands—warranted a penalty, as the foul prevented the Pirates forward from having a clear opportunity to score. Ncobo emphasized that Bambiso had acted with clarity and confidence, managing to make the right call in a high-pressure situation.
Ncobo’s comments received mixed reactions from fans on social media. Many agreed with his expert opinion, praising Bambiso for standing firm in the face of a potentially game-changing decision. However, there were also several voices of dissent, with some fans suggesting that Bambiso had made an error in judgment, citing the missed shot by Mofokeng as a reason for the penalty to be deemed unnecessary. These differing opinions have fueled a broader discussion on the consistency and fairness of refereeing decisions in high-stakes matches like the Soweto derby.
Despite the debate, Bambiso’s decision remains a defining moment in the match, and the controversy surrounding it highlights the intense passion and rivalry that exists between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. As the conversation continues to unfold on social media, both fans and experts will likely continue to analyze and debate the decision, but for now, the 1-0 victory and the three points are firmly in Pirates’ hands, thanks to the last-minute penalty.
