Seething Mwalala blames match referee for Horoya defeat

Seething Bernard Mwalala has accused referee Papa Gasama of killing Bandari’s hopes of winning their Caf Confederation Cup first leg playoff tie against Horoya AC in Conakry, Guinea where they fell 4-2.

The tactician launched a scathing attack on the match officials saying they were all but determined to bring down his side in the game.

Addressing the media after the final whistle, the Dockers  tactician  complained about  ‘favourable calls’ Horoya enjoyed during the clash and cited ‘poor refereeing decisions’ maintaining that it was the architect of their defeat.

‘Now I can understand why it’s difficult to win here. Let the match officials be a little bit fair. We want the African continent to do better in elite competitions like the World Cup but it’s never going to happen if we can have such poor officials, more so doing it against an emerging Bandari,” fumed Mwalala.

The Coastal based side will have to be at their best in the return leg if they are to knock out the Guinean football giants and cruise to the money-minting group stages of the Caf club competition.

However, Mwalala believes the tie is still on the balance and anything can happen at Kasarani Stadium when the two sides lock horns in a rematch for a ticket to the group stages.

Having gunned down USB Guardane 2-0 at Kasarani a few weeks ago, the gaffer believes his charges have what it takes to proceed to the group stages.

“It’s still very difficult for both sides. They have a good striker (Bance) but we are also favoured with our two away goals. We are going to defend very well at home and try to score the two goals. It’s still 50-50 but the officials today had a mission of bringing us down.” Unhappy Mwalala added.

Mwalala and his team are expected in the country by Wednesday to prepare for their return leg scheduled on 3rd Nov at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

Burkina Faso international Aristide Bance was man of the match with his hat-trick proving to be the difference at the Conakary.