Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani has analysed two controversial goal decisions from the recent Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, questioning the officiating in both situations.

The highly competitive encounter produced several talking points, with attention turning to the decisions involving Pirates forward Yanela Mbuthuma and another attacking move featuring Oswin Appollis.

Hlungwani believes Mbuthuma was in an offside position when the ball was played to him, arguing that the goal should not have been allowed under the FIFA Laws of the Game.

"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. This is not right."

The former referee also examined the decision to disallow Appollis' goal after the assistant referee raised the flag for offside. According to Hlungwani, the Pirates attacker was actually in an onside position because Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika was playing him 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."

His assessment suggests that two important decisions during the derby may have gone against the correct interpretation of the offside rule.

The analysis has added another dimension to the debate surrounding the officiating, particularly given the intensity and importance attached to matches between the Soweto rivals.

Offside decisions often depend on the precise moment the ball is played and the positioning of attacking and defending players. Hlungwani's comments have therefore provided supporters with a former official's perspective on the incidents.

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