Botswana coach Peter Butler has described the refereeing in the COSAFA Cup tournament as “shameful, atrocious and disgusting” after his side lost to South Africa in the final.

Butler pulled no punches in his post-match interview.

“I would like to think the Botsawna supporters for coming all the way to support us, you’ve been magnificent, you’ve really got behind us. I’d also like to thank the South African fans as well,” he said on SuperSport.

“But I’d just like too say that this tournament will never ever gain any leverage or credibility when we have atrocious and disgusting and shameful refereeing decisions – not just tonight but throughout that tournament.

“This is the same guy that sent me off, the same guy that gave a penalty against us the last time and he’s given two penalties tonight. We were the better team for the majority of the game.

“Good luck to South Africa, I wish them well, but I think it’s disgusting and it’s shameful.”

Butler was incensed by some decisions the officials made during the final. The Botswana coach felt South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba should have been sent off for an apparent stamp during a tackle on their goalscorer and player of the tournament Onkabetse Makgantai in the 23rd minute.

Joel Morogosi was also adjudged to have handled Modiba’s cross in the dying minutes as referee Janny Sikazwe of Zambia pointed to the spot for South Africa for the second time.

Sikazwe also allowed two ridiculous offside calls against South Africa from Botswana back-passes.