Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori looked to have celebrated what he thought was a penalty miss by the opposition in a penalty shootout this weekend – but the spot-kick actually went in.
The incident in question took place during the Carling Black Label Cup match between Orlando and Kaizer Chiefs – two of the most well-known sides in South Africa.
Held annually, the fixture acts as one of the curtain raisers for the South African Premier Soccer League, which kicks off on 22 August. It is exclusively played between the Chiefs and the Pirates.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, after which a penalty shootout commenced.
With the scores at 3-2 with Orlando having missed two spot-kicks, it was Ofori that stepped up to take a must-score penalty – and did indeed place the ball into the back of the net.
That meant that if he could save Kgaogelo Sekgota’s penalty, the shootout would continue.
Sekgota comfortably tucked his penalty in the top left corner, beating Ofori’s despairing dive.
However, the goalkeeper seemed to think that his opponent had missed, and fist-pumped the air.
Check out the footage below:
Ofori rated as star performer
It wasn’t all bad news for Ofori, however. Goal rated him as the best-performing of the Bucs players during the draw.
And he was also one of three players on his team to step up and score a penalty during the shootout.
Orlando have not won the Premier Soccer League since 2012, though have finished as runners-up on two separate occasions since.
They last won the Carling Black Label Cup match back in 2019. That was the last time it was held prior to this weekend due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, last won the league in 2014/15. Former England U19 manager Stuart Baxter was appointed as the club’s new manager back in June.
Featured Image Credit: PSL