Kaizer Chiefs secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday. However, much of the post-match discussion has centred around Ashley Du Preez's second-half goal, which appeared to be offside.
Former FIFA international referee Jerome Damon believes that, based on replays and still images, the goal looked offside. Speaking to Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview, Damon explained that small margins often make such decisions difficult for match officials to handle without VAR.
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"From the action that we were watching from Du Preez, it looked offside to me. And without the lines drawn which we don't have now, that was an offside and with VAR it had to be offside. So, from where you and I are standing it's an offside and it should not have stood," Damon told Soccer Laduma.
Damon also emphasized that referee Masixole Bambiso and assistant referee Khamusi Razwimisani should be given the benefit of the doubt. He acknowledged the challenges referees face in making split-second decisions, especially in the absence of technology like VAR.
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"But in football we get to understand and accept some decisions which are difficult. Though it looked offside it was not an obvious one where it was one or two metres between the last defender and the goalscorer. So that was a difficult one for the referee and his assistant which at times we have to accept in the absence of VAR," Damon concluded to the Siya crew.
Victory for Chiefs sets up a thrilling final against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates. The Soweto Derby final will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 May, just a week after the two sides clash in a Betway Premiership fixture at FNB Stadium.
