Sekhukhune United striker Bradley Grobler was left surprised when he was handed the Man of the Match Award after his team’s loss to Golden Arrows on Saturday.

Grobler scored a controversial goal but it was not enough as Golden Arrows staged a second half fightback to win the contest 3-1 and eliminate Babina Noko from the Carling Knockout at the Round of 16.

The 37-year-old striker scored with his hand on the stroke of halftime, earning the tag ‘Hand of God,’ but Manqoba Mngqithi’s team responded well to score three goals after the break and book their slot in the quarter-final.

However, it was Grobler who was awarded the Man of the Match and the former SuperSport United forward was left in shock at the R100,000 cheque.

Grobler surprised by Carling Knockout award

“I am shocked, I did not think I had a great game tonight. I think I should have had more goals but at the same time, I think it is not,” Grobler told SuperSport TV.

“We are a top team, a great group of players but we have to understand we have to do better than we have done tonight. First half we were very good but second half we never came out with the same intensity and we have ourselves to blame.

“First half was us but second half, we were far from what we can and what we should be doing so I think it is tough with the run of games and international break coming up, it is important to have continued in this competition but we did not but we have to go hard and pick ourselves from here.”

Sekhukhune forward defends Hand of God

Grobler was then asked about his controversial goal which replayed showed was scored by his hand.

“The wind made it extremely hard…the goal I have to go look at it, because where it came off, I just dived at the ball so I cannot tell you where it actually hit me,” said Grobler.

“But it went in but I have to look at myself and I thought I was not where I should be. I should have had three goals in the first half.”

Sekhuhune are now out of two cup competitions and are left with the PSL and Nedbank Cup to contest this season.