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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has called for former Absa Premiership referee Ace Ngcobo to advise and guide under-fire match official Victor Gomes.
The 35-year-old was the subject of controversy last Friday when he sent Mosimane to the stands for a seemingly innocuous confrontation in the 1-0 win over Cape Town City, and also later handed what appeared to be a soft red card to City defender Robyn Johannes.
It is not the first time Gomes has made headlines for the nature of his officiating - in 2014 he awarded five penalties in the match between Downs and Ajax Cape Town.
The Johannesburg-born headline-maker also gained attention for sending off a ball-boy in 2016 in the match between CT City and Kaizer Chiefs, after the youngster mistakenly threw a second ball on the pitch.
As such, Mosimane believes the experienced Ngcobo could help improve the referee's performance, saying: "He doesn't look the other way. He's on top. Ace must mentor these guys."Victor Gomes always wants to be Man of the Match," Mosimane said. "He wants to be the centre of attention. He likes the big games. Check him he always has his collar up. Even [on] his car [number-plates] it's written 'Mr Ref'."
"You must check his background, his way of moving and all that. You must just give him the space and let him gloat man, its okay. Its personal, he wants to be part of the action.
"Gomes made history. It's the first time I've been sent off. I was voicing my opinion saying it was a shoulder to shoulder challenge. I never swore at him. I don't swear at referees. Sometimes I'm loud but it's the nature of the game.
"Sometimes I voice my opinions louder but it's in relation to the game, what kind of a game it is and the scoreline. All these things add up to the intensity, including the tempo of the game.
"Gomes thinks he's a golden boy.. Gomes almost relegated Baroka when he interpreted the rules wrong against Arrows, a big match, the second last game. I thought he would show humility and say sorry but he never accepts when he's wrong," Mosimane concluded.
Sundowns next face NFD side Cape Town All Stars in a Nedbank Cup round of 32 fixture at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night.
Kick-off is at 20:00.
