Soweto Derby Explodes: Former PSL Referee Says Mbuthuma’s Goal Should Have Been Disallowed

Soweto Derby Offside Storm: Victor Hlungwani Questions Yanela Mbuthuma’s Goal As Chiefs’ Defeat Sparks Debate

JOHANNESBURG – Orlando Pirates’ 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the latest Soweto Derby continues to attract attention, with the circumstances surrounding Yanela Mbuthuma’s opening goal becoming one of the biggest talking points following the highly anticipated encounter.

The controversial moment has reopened discussions about officiating standards in South African football, particularly after Chiefs supporters questioned whether Pirates’ first goal should have been allowed to stand.

According to the claim circulating in the supplied report, former Premier Soccer League referee Victor Hlungwani believes Mbuthuma benefited from an offside position and that the goal should have been disallowed. The alleged analysis has added another dimension to an already heated debate surrounding the match.

The 186th Soweto Derby took place at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Pirates eventually secured a 2-1 victory, with Mbuthuma opening the scoring before Pule Mmodi equalised for Amakhosi. Tshepang Moremi later scored the winning goal to give the Buccaneers all three points.

Mbuthuma’s goal arrived in the 24th minute. The Pirates forward found space in the Chiefs penalty area before his attempt took a deflection off defender Thabo Moloisane and ended in the back of the net.

However, the positioning of the striker when the attacking move developed became a major subject of discussion. Replays prompted questions about whether he was ahead of the last defender when the ball was played.

Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz also questioned the decision after the match. Speaking about the incident, the French tactician said his team believed the goal was offside and indicated that the coaching staff would review the footage.

Da Cruz was disappointed with the result but also admitted that Chiefs had opportunities to take control of the match during the first half. He felt his players should have converted their chances before Pirates found the breakthrough.

The alleged comments attributed to Hlungwani have attracted further interest because the former referee has previously analysed a controversial Yanela Mbuthuma goal against Kaizer Chiefs.

In March 2025, while discussing a Richards Bay fixture on SABC’s SoccerZone, Hlungwani explained that Mbuthuma had gained an advantage from an offside position after the ball rebounded from the goalpost. He described the decision to award that goal as incorrect. That earlier incident, however, was a different match and should not be confused with the 2026 Soweto Derby.

It is important to distinguish that verified previous analysis from the latest claim. The available reporting confirms Da Cruz’s objections to the Derby goal, but does not independently establish that Hlungwani made the specific assessment about the 2026 incident during the latest SoccerZone broadcast.

The debate nevertheless highlights the importance of accurate assistant-referee decisions, particularly in matches where a single goal can influence the outcome.

For Chiefs supporters, the controversy has added frustration to a disappointing Derby result. Pirates, meanwhile, will be pleased with the victory and the three points that strengthened their position in the league.

Source; https://www.facebook.com/100066488048803/posts/1489797796579808/?app=fbl

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