Snl24 | ‘The offside flag should have gone up’

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 03: Olisa Ndah of Orlando Pirates goal celebration during the MTN8, Quarter Final match between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Alche Greeff/Gallo Images)

For all the controversies the MTN8 fixture between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United brought, the least spoken about is one of the goals scored by the home side as they romped to a 3-1 extra time win, which has now been called into question by an expert.

The Buccaneers booked their spot in the semi-final of the MTN8 win a 3-1 victory over Matsatsantsa on Saturday evening at Orlando Stadium.

Pirates took the lead via the boot of Olisa Ndah in the first half, only for Vincent Pule to make the home side pay for a bit of sloppy defending to equalise.  

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With the game now in extra time, Jose Riveiro’s men prevailed through goals by rejuvenated Monnapule Saleng and substitute Evidence Makgopa.

However, the match was marred by controversial calls by match official Abongile Tom, prompting Matsatsantsa head coach Gavin Hunt to lash out, which led to him being sent off. 

Reviewing the match on SABC Sports’ SoccerZone on Monday evening, former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani addressed two big incidents.

“Here there is a handball, we are talking of natural and unnatural positions of the hand,” Hlungwani explained.

“You can see the hands [of a Pirates defender] are outstretched. So, when the hands are outstretched, they are no longer natural. When a player is putting his hand in that position, he is taking a risk of being hit by the ball.

“So, when the ball hit the hand in that position, a handball offence has been committed and a penalty should have been awarded and, in this case, it was not awarded because you can see Abongile Tom was obstructed, that he could not see.

“But if a handball offence has been committed, a penalty should have been awarded. Incorrect decision by the referee.

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Hlungwani also touched on the Soweto giants’ opening goal, scored by Ndah, who, according to the retired match official, was in an offside position.

“There is a goal scored by Ndah. Was it offside or not offside?

“If we draw a line, you will see that Olisa Ndah was nearer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last player.

“It’s not an offence to be in an offside position, but if he played the ball, if he makes contact with the ball, the offside flag should have gone up. So, here he interfered with play, the flag did not go up, the goal was given and incorrect decision by the ref.”