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Johannesburg - SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler slammed the Gabonese referee over a disallowed goal during a 0-0 CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final draw with Zesco United of Zambia this weekend.
Big-screen replays showed Bradley Grobler controlling a cross with his abdomen before pushing the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Jacob Banda and into the net during the first half.
The referee indicated that Grobler had handled the ball, infuriating the striker and former South Africa midfield enforcer Tinkler.
"The referee made a mockery of the game," furious Tinkler told reporters after the first leg at Lucas "Masterpieces" Moripe Stadium in a western Pretoria township.
"I cannot understand why the goal was not awarded - television replays of the incident prove that there was no handball. It was a legitimate goal."
Tinkler was happy with the result, though, despite failing to build a lead ahead of the September 23 return match in Copperbelt city Ndola.
"We kept a clean sheet and that was very important," he said. "It is an almost-ideal situation as Zesco must come at us in the return match."
A score draw in Zambia would suffice to take SuperSport into the semi-finals of the second-tier African club competition for the first time.
Zesco were also out of luck in Pretoria as John Ching'andu was incorrectly ruled offside when he scored from close range before the Grobler incident.
There were few clear-cut chances in a lacklustre match with the best falling to Zambian teenager Maybin Kalengo, who blazed over from close range soon after half-time.
Ben Malango bagged a brace as title-holders TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo triumphed 2-1 away to Sudanese side El Hilal Obied.
The result ended a six-match winning CAF run at home by Hilal, who qualified to play in Africa for the first time this season, 86 years after the club was formed.
Mazembe fell behind midway through the opening half when Kevin Mondeko conceded an own-goal, but Malango levelled soon after and converted a penalty six minutes from time.
Tunisian title challengers CS Sfaxien and Club Africain suffered 1-0 losses away to fellow north African sides, leaving the ties delicately balanced.
Karim Benarif scored from a first-half penalty to give 2010 title-holders FUS Rabat of Morocco a 1-0 victory over record three-time Confederation Cup winners Sfaxien.
Mouloudia Alger of Algeria edged Club Africain 1-0 in Algiers through a goal on 10 minutes from Hichem Nekkache, his fifth of the competition.
