In a thrilling encounter between Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows during the MTN 8 Quarter-Finals on Saturday afternoon, a contentious goal sparked heated debate and raised questions about the validity of the result.
Mamelodi Sundowns emerged victorious by a goal to nill, but the goal has left fans, coaches, and even former officials divided.
Moroka Swallows’ head coach, Steve Komphela, expressed his reservations about the goal during a MTN 8 post-match interview.
“Perhaps not many of us [have] had the opportunity to closely examine the visual of Sundowns’ goal. We readily accepted it as a goal, but there’s a possibility that it might have been an offside.”,” Said Coach Komphela, suggesting that the goal may not have been scored within the rules of the game.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Premier Soccer League (PSL) official Victor Hlungwani agreed with Komphela’s sentiments during an appearance on the Soccerzone ‘Sport show’ on Monday evening.
“Themba Zwane received the ball from an offside position and was interfering with play, so Sundowns benefited from that decision,” said Hlungwani.
Hlungwani, known for his expertise and knowledge of the game, believed that the Mamelodi Sundowns’ goal should have been ruled offside.
Football fan in the PSL have been advocating for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, which has been introduced in various leagues globally, to assist referees in making crucial decisions.
The absence of VAR in the MTN 8 Quarter-Finals or PSL has left room for human error, and this controversial goal serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate officiating in modern football.
It is important to note that controversial decisions have been a part of football history, often sparking intense debates and controversy among fans.
However, in the age of technology and increased scrutiny, it is crucial for SAFA and PSL to take the necessary steps to ensure fairness and transparency in the game.