Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller has blamed the referee for their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates, saying the referee ruled out a clear goal for his side.
The Buccaneers collected all three points in Cairo in another statement win in the CAF Champions League to top the so-called ‘Group of Death’ unbeaten and with 14 points.
The hosts thought they had scored a late equaliser in injury-time but it was ruled out for offside by the officiating team, much to the displeasure of Koller, who called for VAR to be introduced in the CAFCL group stages.
“Al-Ahly scored a valid goal that was disallowed by the referee for no clear reason. It is sad that we lost due to a refereeing error,” Koller said after the match, as per Kooora.
“Why does CAF not use video technology in the group stage? The African Champions League is the biggest tournament at the competitive level on the continent?
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“We apologise to the referees because they did not see all the refereeing cases clearly, and it is important that they are provided with assistance.
“CAF must reconsider the decision to exclude VAR from the group stage.”
Pirates will now receive a home fixture in the second leg of their quarter-final, while Al Ahly will have to travel for the crucial decider after finishing runners-up behind the Sea Robbers.