Hlungwani Questions Soweto Derby Officiating Over Mbuthuma Offside

Former South African referee Victor Hlungwani has raised concerns about the officiating during the Soweto Derby, pointing to an incident involving Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma that he believes should have resulted in an offside decision.

The controversial moment has added to the discussions surrounding the match officials’ performance, with supporters and football analysts continuing to examine key decisions from the high-profile encounter between Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Hlungwani specifically questioned Mbuthuma’s positioning during the incident, arguing that the Pirates forward was in an offside position when the attacking move developed.

His assessment has brought fresh attention to the application of the offside rule, particularly because decisions of this nature can have a significant impact on important matches.

The former referee’s comments also highlight the pressure placed on match officials during the Soweto Derby, where every major decision is closely scrutinised by supporters of both clubs.

Offside decisions require officials to assess a player’s position at the exact moment a teammate plays the ball. However, being in an offside position does not automatically constitute an offence; the player must also become involved in active play according to the Laws of the Game.

Hlungwani’s observation therefore raises questions about whether the officials correctly assessed Mbuthuma’s involvement in the attacking move.

The latest discussion follows other controversial refereeing moments from the derby, with different interpretations emerging over whether certain decisions were handled correctly.

For Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs supporters, the debate is likely to continue as attention remains on the standard of officiating in South African football.

Hlungwani’s assessment has provided another perspective on the incident, although the full details of the decision would be necessary to establish precisely what happened.

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