Soana FC Coach Alex Isabirye was on Friday left to rue the ‘poor’ decisions made by referee Mashood Ssali as his side lost 2-0 to Vipers at St. Mary’s stadium, Kitende.
Tonny Odur scored both goals for the hosts but the second came after Ssali waved play on after a blatant foul on Soana striker Francis Olaki who was brought down on the edge of the area only for Ssali to wave play on.
The attack resulted into the second goal in the first minute of added time to make three points safe for the two-time time champions.
“It hurts to lose in such manner,” he told the press. “This match would have ended 1-0 or maybe 1-1 because if he had awarded a free kick for a foul on Olaki, that was half chance for us and there was no way the attack would in goal against us,” he added.
“That ref is always poor against my sides and this is the third time. How his bad days always come against my side beats me but am not happy and neither are my players.”
Ssali in the spotlight again
Though one of the previously high rated referees in the country, Ssali’s stock has fallen this season with contentious decisions.
In the first half of the season, he was culprit for awarding a free kick that never was for Vipers against Soana in Kavumba which resulted into the match winner and the hosts coach then, Sam Ssimbwa referred to him as ‘Sub Standard’.
He also made questionable calls in Vipers 3-0 win over Proline at Kitende before surprisingly sending Police FC Coach Abdallah Mubiru to the stands for protesting what appeared to be a wrong decision in 2-2 draw with KCCA.