Mbalula Stunned By The Officiating, McKenzie Calls For VAR In The PSL
Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has called for the immediate implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to assist referees in South African football, following a highly controversial match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, previously the Sports, Arts and Culture minister in South Africa, labelled the officiating in the match as “bad.” Lucas Ribeiro Costa appeared to be offside in the build-up to Sundowns’ second goal, before setting up Iqraam Rayners to finish it off and secure a 2-1 victory.
Chiefs’ bench, including coach Nasreddine Nabi, was incensed by the decision. They were able to review the incident on their iPad, while referee Skhumbuzo Gasa could not as no TV monitor to review, as the PSL does not have a VAR system in place.
“The officiating in the Sundowns and Chiefs match was not good at all yesterday,” said Mbalula.
McKenzie, who has already expressed his frustration about the leadership of SAFA, said it is essential for VAR to be implemented in South African football. “All football-loving fans know that the time for VAR has arrived in SA football. We need VAR, and we need it now. Meetings must start immediately because we are not a third-world country,” said McKenzie, who witnessed the Springboks win the Rugby Championship against Argentina on Saturday. “I shall report back as soon as possible after meeting with SAFA and the PSL this week.”
The absence of VAR in the PSL also angered Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, who expressed his astonishment that a large country like South Africa does not have such a system in place.
Chiefs scored first when Ranga Chivaviro held off Mosa Lebusa in the eighth minute before poking the ball past Ronwen Williams. This goal was canceled out by Costa, who rifled a shot past Chiefs goalie Fiacre Ntwari. However, Rayners’ questionable goal ultimately sealed the victory for Sundowns.
This was Chiefs’ first loss of the season, having won their previous two matches against Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu. On the other hand, Sundowns cemented their top spot in the table with three wins from three games.
