While there has been excitement all around in the fraternity about the return of topflight football, officiating has stolen the show in the DStv Premiership with some of the questionable decisions in these early stages of the season.
The latest incident was on Wednesday night's league match for Sekhukhune United and Moroka Swallows at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night where the Dube Birds emerged as victors.
The game looked to be heading for full time at 1-1 with goals from Chibuike Ohizu and Lindokuhle Mtshali before Sekhukhune conceded deep into stoppage time.
Although it looked like Sekhukhune goalkeeper Badra Sangare was pushed by Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango beyond the goal line with the ball in his hands, match referee Siyabonga Nkomo who was assisted by Kgara Mokoena and Thamanga Sebati, allowed the goal to stand.
Football legend James Mothibi, who is also a coach in the lower divisions, has been appalled by the officiating.
The Good
"The season has just started and we see teams like Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and others playing beautiful football. That's what football is all about and we are happy to see that but the problem is that there are officials who seem to be all about spoiling the beautiful game. There is a need for the country to develop match officials from a young age. Pirates went to Spain for pre-season, Chiefs went to Botswana and Tanzania respectively, while Sundowns were in the Netherlands. Why are South African referees not taken to their own pre-season to a different country where they would get to officiate and see how things are done at another level. Why can't the officials be taken to the Netherlands, Spain and in other countries in Africa to officiate in high profile friendly games? The league should ensure that the officials are ready by the time the season starts. We are talking about the VAR and that is fine but let us prepare the referees adequately both mentally and physically," said Mothibi.
The Bad
"It's important that we talk about South African football and the things affecting our game. It's a disgrace for South African football. What the assistant referee did in the game between Sekhukhune and Swallows was unbelievable. Whenever there is an infringement into a player and pushing him into inside the net, that is a foul. The referee should have blown against Swallows. I don't know what influenced the referee to give a goal but what the officials did is a disgrace to South African football. That kind of officiating has put the PSL into disrepute. I think the referee should be called in front a DC (disciplinary committee) and be suspended with immediate effect," he said.
The Ugly
"That kind of officiating didn't start last night. I am coaching in the ABC Motsepe League and I have coached in the SAB League before and in those leagues these things happen like it is normal. To the officials and opponents that are fraudulent towards us such kinds of actions seem to be normal. The thing is there are not enough match officials in the country and therefore the guys who commit these errors get away with murder because they keep getting appointed," he concluded.
Was the referee correct in allowing Swallows' goal to stand?
