Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani believes Orlando Pirates were fortunate to keep their opening goal in their 2-1 Soweto Derby win over Kaizer Chiefs.

The Buccaneers claimed bragging rights at FNB Stadium this past weekend in a dramatic encounter that drew scrutiny of referee Luxolo Badi for several controversial decisions.

Pirates’ first goal was among the biggest talking points, with Hlungwani ruling that Evidence Mbuthuma was in an offside position when he scored.

Hlungwani on Pirates goal against Chiefs

Speaking on SoccerZone, the former referee explained his decision after analysing the incident using the offside line.

“Here we see Mbuthuma scoring a goal. Did he score a goal in line with the FIFA laws of the game? Let’s go and draw the line,” Hlungwani said.

“If you look at the line, Mbuthuma’s leg is on the line and Miguel’s leg is outside the line, so therefore, this puts who? It puts Mbuthuma in an offside position. It’s very tight, but Mbuthuma here is offside. So this goal shouldn’t have stood.

“But you know they always say if you’re in doubt, give the benefit to the attacking team.”

Hlungwani, though, felt Pirates’ second goal, scored by Moremi after a pass from Mokobodi, was correctly allowed to stand.

“Moremi scored a beautiful goal after Mokobodi gave him a nice pass.”

“Let’s go back and draw the line to see if it’s offside. Here you can see the same Miguel, putting Mokobodi onside,” he explained.

Hlungwani also believes Orlando Pirates were denied a legitimate goal when Oswin Appollis found the net in the dying minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

The former referee further questioned Badi’s handling of the Simphiwe Selepe incident, arguing that the Pirates midfielder should have been sent off in the first half.

Hlungwani says Pirates should have been a man down

According to Hlungwani, Selepe committed a foul involving contact with an opponent’s face before making another reckless challenge and subsequently stopping a promising attack.

“Selepe did what we call hand on the face. This is not hand on the face but elbow to the face. If you elbow or hand on the face, it’s a yellow card. He was not given a yellow card in this instance. What does he do minutes later? He comes with a leg challenge, it was reckless. A yellow card was given,” Hlungwani added.

“The last one, he stopped a promising attack. A yellow card should have been issued. Incorrect decision not to award a red card in that instance.”

Hlungwani’s assessment suggests that Pirates benefited from the officials’ decisions despite also having a legitimate goal ruled out during the derby.