Hlungwani says Pirates’ goal against Sekhukhune was onside
Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani says Mpho Padime's winner for Orlando Pirates against Sekhukhune United was onside and that referee Eugene Mdluli made the right call.
Orlando Pirates’ winning goal against Sekhukhune United was a legitimate one and should not have been questioned for offside, according to former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani, as reported by iDiski Times.
The match and the goal
Young Buccaneers talent Mpho Padime scored the only goal of the tie at Orlando Amstel Arena this past weekend. The result was a fourth win in all competitions for the defending champions against Babina Noko, and it booked their place in the Carling Knockout Cup.
After the match, there was plenty of debate on social media about whether the goal had been correctly awarded. According to iDiski Times, however, replays clearly show that Padime was onside when he fired the ball home.
Hlungwani explains the decision
Speaking on Soccerzone, Hlungwani said both Padime and Tshepang Moremi were onside, which meant they had every right to challenge for the ball.
He pointed to the moment the cross came in, saying Moremi was jumping and did not play the ball. Because Moremi did not touch it, the ball went through to Padime, who had not been in an offside position when the cross was delivered.
Hlungwani summed it up by calling it a “correct decision by the referee” to award the goal. He singled out match official Eugene Mdluli for praise, saying he got the call spot on by allowing the goal to stand.
What it means
For Pirates supporters, the clarification settles the question raised online about the only goal of the match. The defending champions have their place in the Carling Knockout Cup, and the expert view from a former top-flight referee is that the goal was good.
This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.
