Cape Town - SuperSport
United head coach Eric Tinkler is hopeful the CAF Confederation final
will be officiated by the best possible candidates when they face TP
Mazembe next month.
Matsatsansa face the DRC giants in a two-legged final in November and with fixtures in Africa marred by questionable refereeing in the past, Tinkler is hoping the standards will improve as interest generates within the competition.
With Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and now their cross-town rivals impressing within continental football, there's been a real increase in interest amongst the local viewership.
While in the past, the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits have sent second-string sides during their CAF campaigns and non-televised games were often subject to match-fixing allegations.
"You need a good and experienced referee, especially against a team like TP Mazembe, because I know what happened the last time when I was with Pirates," Tinkler told TimesLIVE.
"You need a referee who has no fear and that is important because going to Mazembe you have heard stories in the past, and we hope that those things don't happen this year.
"For the players, they must just focus on the field because there are certain things you can't control," he added in reference for the away fixture.
"We have to give our best with regard to our preparations and on the field, and don't be affected by a bad decision here and there."