Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani has referred to Orlando Pirates forward Oswin Appollis’ goal ruled offside as ‘inconclusive’.
This comes after the diminutive attacker thought he had given the Buccaneers an early first half lead in their stalemate against Kaizer Chiefs only for the goal to be flagged offside.
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This sparked a lot of debate among football fans from both teams with Pirates supporters feeling they had been robbed of a legitimate goal while certain Chiefs followers agreed with the decision not to allow the goal to stand.
The two Soweto giants played to a 1-1 stalemate in what was an entertaining but scrappy 185th Soweto derby spectacle on Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs were first to get the breakthrough in the 62nd minute following an excellent run from Wandile Duba who laid off an assist to Pule Mmodi who fired past Sipho Chaine to make it 1-0.
Pirates had to wait till the 75th minute to level matters through Kamogelo Sebelebele who pounced on a loose ball after Brandon Petersen had parried Deon Hotto’s attempt into his path.
Hlungwani admitted that the angle of the replay made it difficult to make a call on whether Appollis was indeed in an offside position or not, but that assistant referee Zakhele Siwela’s decision not to give the goal, stands as it’s the infield decision.
“Appollis scored the goal. This is the only angle we have. It’s not an offside angle, it’s a wide angle view,” ‘The Principal’ said on Soccerzone.
“This angle you can see Appollis’ head is forward, but there’s Given Msimango on the other side.
“But we are not sure from where you’re sitting at home and where we are sitting if the head is in front or not.
“So, Zakhele being there, he flagged for offisde because he was sure. Therefore the infield decision stays, which is offside as an infield decision.
“Zakhele Siwela who’s in line, he’s the only one that can tell us.”
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