Ex-PSL referee criticises officiating in Kaizer Chiefs' defeat to Richards Bay

Former referee Victor Hlungwani has cast aspersions on the officiating during the Betway Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Richards Bay over the weekend.

It may seem that one decision may not have affected the result as Chiefs lost 2-0 to their hosts at King Zwelithini Stadium, but in fact Richards Bay were just 1-0 up when the controversial moment came in the 72nd minute.

Yanela Mbuthuma scored his side’s second in what appeared to be from an offside position.

The goal, however, stood and Chiefs lost a game in which they had 21 shots to the 12 of their opponents and a completely dominant 74% of the ball.

Evaluating Mbuthuma's position: Offside advantage explained with replay analysis

“Let’s go to Mbuthuma. Mbuthuma here. Let’s go and have a look if he gained an advantage by being in that position", Victor Hlungwani told SABC's Soccerzone program.

“You can see the ball is played, and from home, you can see that Mbuthuma is standing in another position. We’ll draw the line for you to show you where he is standing. Whether he’s in an offside position or an onside position.

As the show ran slow-motion replays and freeze frames, Hlungwani continued:  “Let’s see where Mbuthuma is, and there he is in an offside position. Now we are going to look at the ball when it rebounds from the goalpost. When he [Mbuthuma] plays it, he is offside, interfering or gaining advantage by being in that position.

“So, this was ruled onside; a goal was given. Incorrect decision because he gained an advantage by being in that position. That should’ve been ruled offside!”

After the match, Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi steered clear of talking about the officiating.

“We are in the process of rebuilding a team and a big club such as Kaizer Chiefs is not built in six or seven months; you need more time than that,” Nabi said after the match.

“We know exactly what we need to have a better team or club. And it is not today because we are losing, and tomorrow when we are winning and say the opposite. I have to emphasise that we are in the building process, and we know exactly what we need.”

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport