ORLANDO Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has refused to blame Benni McCarthy for the MTN8 semifinal defeat, but has apportioned blame to referee Robert Smith for the heavy 3-0 loss to SuperSport United at the weekend.
Smith sent McCarthy off for a scuffle with United winger Franklin Cale in what appeared to be a harsh decision.
Even though United had the better of the defending champions, particularly in the second half in which they scored three goals at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, the striker's ejection had an effect on the Bucs' game.
Palacios said: "I don't want to comment about the red, if I say Benni is guilty then I would be blaming him for the loss. No. A red card is a red card.
"I'm old enough to look through the game. I don't want to comment on why he had the red card or if the referee was good or no good.
"I only say a human being can destroy the game, a human being can destroy the club, a human being can destroy the performance. I don't want to mention specifically who, but today (Saturday) a human being has destroyed the performance of Orlando Pirates."
"(McCarthy's) a striker, he's a quality player who functions with the team very well," he said.
"It's obvious, his effect, and it affected the team.
"It's difficult having a midfielder or striker red-carded, especially one of the quality of Benni McCarthy."
Ashley Hartog finally broke the three-game deadlock with an exquisite opener, sending shock waves that sparked despicable actions from the Bucs fans.
With Bucs carved open, substitute striker Clifford Mulenga followed up the second goal before Mabhuti Khenyeza sealed an astonishing win with a third and guaranteed Matsatsantsa a place in the finals.
United coach Gavin Hunt praised his players for their victory, which ended Bucs' stranglehold on the MTN8, insisting the Tshwane side were the better team in all the past three games.
"We were written off going into this game and that motivated us," said Hunt.
"It's difficult playing against Bucs. It wasn't easy playing against 10 men. They are a top side, who won six trophies in the last two years or so. So it wasn't going to be easy, but we knew we had a chance because we never conceded at home. One goal here was always going to be good for us," Hunt said.
"I've had 19 players last year, 65 players in the past six years. But I keep going. Keep the system in place and everybody level-headed. Get players with good mental attitude and battle along."
The latest to emerge from that bunch is fullback Roscoe Pietersen, who had a sizzling game.
Despite the defeat, Palacios reckoned his side played well.
Bucs coach slams 'human' factor
ORLANDO Pirates coach Augusto Palacios has refused to blame Benni McCarthy for the MTN8 semifinal defeat, but has apportioned blame to referee Robert Smith for the heavy 3-0 loss to SuperSport United at the weekend.
Smith sent McCarthy off for a scuffle with United winger Franklin Cale in what appeared to be a harsh decision.
Even though United had the better of the defending champions, particularly in the second half in which they scored three goals at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, the striker's ejection had an effect on the Bucs' game.
Palacios said: "I don't want to comment about the red, if I say Benni is guilty then I would be blaming him for the loss. No. A red card is a red card.
"I'm old enough to look through the game. I don't want to comment on why he had the red card or if the referee was good or no good.
"I only say a human being can destroy the game, a human being can destroy the club, a human being can destroy the performance. I don't want to mention specifically who, but today (Saturday) a human being has destroyed the performance of Orlando Pirates."
"(McCarthy's) a striker, he's a quality player who functions with the team very well," he said.
"It's obvious, his effect, and it affected the team.
"It's difficult having a midfielder or striker red-carded, especially one of the quality of Benni McCarthy."
Ashley Hartog finally broke the three-game deadlock with an exquisite opener, sending shock waves that sparked despicable actions from the Bucs fans.
With Bucs carved open, substitute striker Clifford Mulenga followed up the second goal before Mabhuti Khenyeza sealed an astonishing win with a third and guaranteed Matsatsantsa a place in the finals.
United coach Gavin Hunt praised his players for their victory, which ended Bucs' stranglehold on the MTN8, insisting the Tshwane side were the better team in all the past three games.
"We were written off going into this game and that motivated us," said Hunt.
"It's difficult playing against Bucs. It wasn't easy playing against 10 men. They are a top side, who won six trophies in the last two years or so. So it wasn't going to be easy, but we knew we had a chance because we never conceded at home. One goal here was always going to be good for us," Hunt said.
"I've had 19 players last year, 65 players in the past six years. But I keep going. Keep the system in place and everybody level-headed. Get players with good mental attitude and battle along."
The latest to emerge from that bunch is fullback Roscoe Pietersen, who had a sizzling game.
Despite the defeat, Palacios reckoned his side played well.
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