Hlungwani says two Soweto Derby goal calls were wrong

Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the 186th Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, but much of the talk afterwards has centred on two refereeing decisions. According to iDiski Times, former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani believes both were wrong.

The result and the disputed moments

Goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi gave the Buccaneers the bragging rights. iDiski Times described the match as a highly tempered encounter and the win as deserved.

The first flashpoint was Mbuthuma’s goal, which referee Luxolo Badi allowed to stand, putting Pirates in front. The second involved Oswin Appollis, whose goal was flagged for offside and did not count.

Hlungwani disagrees with both calls. He spoke on Soccerzone, where he criticised the referee and his assistants and said they got both decisions incorrect.

What Hlungwani said

On Mbuthuma’s goal, Hlungwani drew lines on the replay to make his case. He said the leg of a player he named as Miguel was outside the line, while Mbuthuma’s leg was inside it, which in his view put the striker in an offside position. He called the incident “very tight”, but insisted the goal should not have been allowed.

On the Appollis decision, Hlungwani, who is nicknamed ‘The Principal’, argued the opposite. In his view, Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika played the Pirates attacker onside, which meant the goal was in line with the FIFA Laws of the game. He said the assistant referee’s flag was wrong in that situation.

Opinion, not an official finding

Hlungwani’s comments are his own analysis as a former referee. The iDiski Times report does not include any response from the match officials, and it does not say whether the decisions will be reviewed.

As things stand, the result is a 2-1 win for Pirates, courtesy of the goals from Mbuthuma and Moremi. The debate over the two decisions is likely to continue among supporters of both clubs.

This story is based on reporting by iDiski Times.