Former PSL Referee Victor Hlungwani Questions Two Major Decisions in Chiefs vs Pirates Derby

Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani has questioned two major officiating decisions from the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, suggesting that both incidents were incorrectly handled by the match officials.

The highly contested encounter at FNB Stadium ended in a 2-1 victory for Orlando Pirates, but the result was accompanied by debate over two important goal decisions.

Hlungwani has now analysed the incidents, highlighting what he believes were mistakes by the assistant referee and the officials responsible for determining whether the goals should stand.

The first incident involved Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa’s teammate, Yanela Mbuthuma, whose goal was allowed to stand despite Hlungwani believing the forward was in an offside position.

According to the former referee, the goal should have been disallowed because Mbuthuma was offside in the build-up.

“Mbuthuma here is offside. This goal was not supposed to have stand. This is not right from this situation. It [the goal] should not have been allowed,” Hlungwani explained.

His assessment suggests that the assistant referee should have raised the flag to indicate the infringement before the goal was awarded.

The second incident involved Pirates winger Oswin Appollis, who had a goal ruled out for offside.

However, Hlungwani disagreed with that decision, arguing that Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika had played Appollis onside.

“Appollis scored a goal that was ruled offside, and we have Kwinika playing Appollis onside. This goal was in line with the FIFA Laws of the game. This flag [by assistant referee] is wrong in this situation,” he said.

Hlungwani’s analysis has added another dimension to the debate surrounding the officiating in one of South African football’s biggest fixtures.

The two incidents are particularly significant because they involve opposite decisions: a goal that Hlungwani believes should have been disallowed and another that he believes should have counted.

For Kaizer Chiefs, the analysis raises questions about the decision to allow Mbuthuma’s goal to stand.

For Orlando Pirates, the disallowed Appollis goal could become another talking point, especially given the former referee’s assessment that Kwinika had kept the attacker onside.

The Soweto Derby has once again placed PSL officiating under the spotlight, with the decisions likely to attract further discussion among supporters and football analysts.

However, Hlungwani’s assessment should be understood as his interpretation of the available footage rather than an official PSL ruling.

The controversy also highlights the importance of accurate assistant refereeing decisions, particularly in high-pressure matches where a single goal can influence the outcome.

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