MNGQITHI – CHIEFS FANS CELEBRATING DUBIOUS GOAL!
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has launched a scathing attack on the Premier Soccer League (PSL), calling on the league to urgently fast-track the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology following his side’s controversial 1–0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday night.
Arrows were left aggrieved after Chiefs scored what proved to be the match-winning goal, with Mngqithi insisting that scorer Aden McCarthy was clearly in an offside position in the build-up.
“The first thing I can tell you is that the PSL will forever have issues for as long as this issue of VAR is not taken care of,” said a visibly frustrated Mngqithi after the match.
“The stakes are very high. We work very hard to build our teams, and if you look carefully at that goal, it was offside.”
Mngqithi explained that the decisive moment unfolded when a second touch was made in the attacking phase, by which time McCarthy had already moved beyond the defensive line.
“Just wait for the touch that goes to the second player, and already Aden McCarthy is on the other side. He is offside, and we lose the game. Nobody cares,” said the coach who manages a club belonging to PSL’s Acting CEO.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach believes that the speed and complexity of the modern game have outgrown the capabilities of match officials operating without technological assistance.
“The game has become too dynamic, too dynamic even for officials always to follow the runs and check these situations properly,” Mngqithi added.
“I cannot always blame the officials. It’s the game itself that demands that we respond differently.”
Mngqithi emphasised that the absence of VAR has serious financial and sporting consequences, arguing that clubs are competing for far more than pride.
“We are not playing for R500 000 here. We are playing for R20 million. With so much at stake, the league must work very hard on this issue of VAR. Otherwise, we will keep losing matches like this, and people will just be okay with it.”
While the controversial decision overshadowed the match, Mngqithi also praised his players’ tactical discipline, particularly in dealing with Chiefs’ attacking approach.
“They were overloading our last line with five players, and we responded by matching that with a back five. I think we dealt with it very well,” he said.
“Every time we won the first ball, we had an advantage going forward.”
He added that Chiefs’ use of cover shadows made it difficult for Arrows to exploit wide areas, but felt his team executed the game plan admirably.
“I am happy with the boys. I think they played very well,” Mngqithi said.
“What does not sit well with me is losing another game because of an offside goal.”
The Arrows coach concluded with a pointed remark aimed at celebrations from the opposition supporters.
“When you lose matches like this, people sing and celebrate because they’ve won,” he said. “But the reality is, we lost — or rather, the match was won — against the laws of the game.”
The result leaves Golden Arrows ruing another missed opportunity, while reigniting the long-running debate around VAR’s delayed implementation in South African football.
