Darko Novic, the head coach of Tunisian side US Monastir, has criticized the referees who officiated the CAF champions’ league qualifier between his team and APR on Saturday for unfairly refereeing Northern African clubs. Striker Yves Mugunga scored the lone goal of the game to help the military side take home the three points with a goal advantage that they must defend when they travel to Monastir ahead of the return leg on September 18. However, striker Omarou Ali Youssoufo could have helped the Tunisians finish the match with a draw had his 78th minute goal not been ruled offside in a controversial way that prompted the striker and his teammates to protest. Commenting on the referees, an angry Novic said the refereeing decisions not only concern his club but any team from Northern Africa. “I don’t need to comment [about the referee] because you have seen everything. I can’t go to complain to people in Cairo [CAF],” Novic told journalists during a post-match press conference. “[They have done this] before during matches in Niger, Benin, Kenya, Mali, Congo Brazzaville, Congo Kinshasa, and they keep doing the same. The referees simply don’t give Northern African teams a chance to play football,” the Serbian lamented. Monastir will be looking to fight back and win the tie against APR FC in Tunisia to ensure they go in the next round of the CAF Champions League. The winner will face Egyptians giants Al Ahly in the second round of the continent’s biggest club competition.
