NC PROFESSIONALS FC coach Robert Sebastian reckons stage nerves and questionable refereeing got the better of his team on Saturday when they lost 2-0 against Mathaithai FC in the last 32 draw of the Nedbank Cup competition at Tafel Lager Park.
He said they started out well and stuck to the game plan from the start.
“The trouble started when we pressed them (Bloemfontein- based Mathaithai) in their own box.
“They panicked and fouled our striker. We should have been awarded a penalty for that infringement. Instead the referee waved play on and pretended nothing had happened.”
The NC Pros mentor said he was satisfied that his side held up well against their fellow ABC Motsepe league counterparts.
The travelling Mathaithai got the two first-half goals lead via the boot of Tebogo Modise and Lesego Segalo.
NC Pros substituted their goal minder halfway through the game.
Coach Sebastian said the change in goalkeepers was forced on him when it looked as though the man between the sticks was prone to misjudging his charge on the ball and often left his line exposed.
“We acquired some players just over a week ago from Unthongathi FC in KwaZulu-Natal. We know some of them do not have experience of football at this level and had hoped we will pull it off with them.
“Our problem was also not taking our chances at goal when we had the opportunity. We passed the ball instead of blasting the goalposts.”
Sebastian said they did well despite the 2-0 score
NC Pros came under pressure again in the opening minutes of the second stanza.
In one instance the goalie came off his line to clear a high cross. He missed the clearance and was out jumped by an attacker who luckily headed the ball wide.
Pros made four substitutions, two upfront and two in the middle.
This change in personnel resulted in poor execution in front of the Mathaithai goalposts.
The Kathu based team will pocket R100,000 from this stage of the competition. Mathaithai in the meantime will move to the last 16 phase of the contest.
Sebastian said they will now focus their energy on bonding the squad and aim at getting better results in the regional Safa ABC Motsepe League.
As for Mathaithai their next opponent, likely a known professional side, will be revealed via a draw later in the week.
