Kaizer Chiefs' Ashley du Preez celebrates after scoring the winning goal in their Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
Image: Backpagepix
South Africa’s need for video assistant referee technology was again highlighted following Kaizer Chiefs’ dramatic winner in their Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns.
A week after sports minister Gayton McKenzie announced that the country is on track to implement VAR technology in the PSL, Kaizer Chiefs’ Ashley du Preez appeared to be offside when he struck the late winner in Amakhosi’s shock triumph over Sundowns.
Earlier, Mamelodi Sundowns took the lead courtesy of Teboho Mokoena, but Chiefs equalised via Wandile Duba before Du Preez made it 2-1 to set up a dream Nedbank Cup final with their fierce rivals Orlando Pirates at Durban’s Moses Mabhida on May 10.
There is currently no timeline when VAR will be implemented in the country. According to McKenzie, the technology must be integrated through SAFA in accordance with FIFA rules. McKenzie revealed that his team recently met with the leadership of Safa, which has now set a clear plan in motion to bring VAR to South African football.
An advertisement will be published, inviting service providers to submit bids for the technology. This move signals a significant step towards modernising the officiating system in South Africa’s football leagues.
“We are committed to ensuring that VAR is introduced in line with Fifa regulations,” McKenzie said, on his social media account. “The money is available, and the necessary training for referees has also been budgeted for. With the collaboration of Safa and the PSL.”
Earlier this season, there was talk about the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC being targeted to implement VAR. It didn’t happen and even that final was also decided by a highly contentious goal.
On Sunday, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso brought his phone to the post-match press conference, where he showed the media a picture of Du Preez appearing to be offside when he buried the winning goal.
“When you work in a country that doesn’t have VAR, that’s what happens,” Cardoso said.
“So, just go back — you have the images from the TV. A team will lose out on the competition due to a mistake from the referee. I think we have been penalised enough this season due to refereeing mistakes.”
Kaizer Chiefs, however, won’t be bothered with the decision after they also moaned about an “offside” goal that stood, ironically enough against Mamelodi Sundowns during a league match at the start of the season.
The result will certainly ease pressure on their Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi, who recorded his first win over Sundowns as Chiefs coach in four attempts this season. After a miserable campaign thus far, they now have the opportunity to break their 10-year major trophy drought against Pirates.
However, if VAR was available, it could have been a totally different story …
@JohnGoliath82