Online Reporter
FORMER FIFA referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) expert Jerome Damon has broken down the reasons Pyramids FC’s goals were disallowed against Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League semi-final clash.
It was a close tie between the Premier Soccer League giants and the Egyptian club at FNB Stadium, with the visitors scoring two goals — both of which were ruled out by VAR.
The decisions by the assistant referee frustrated the visitors, with their coach also complaining about the outcome.
According to iDiskiTimes, Damon, while speaking on social media about Mayele’s cancelled goal, confirmed that it was the right call to disallow the goal.
The Congolese striker punished Mbekezeli Mbokazi after making a mistake in the closing stages of the first half but the youngster’s blushes was covered after VAR ruled out this goal for offside.
“Right before halftime, the referee was called to the monitor for an on-field review to assess a potential offside,” he said.
“VAR determined that Mayele, the Pyramids striker who scored, was in an offside position. There was an earlier action involving Pirates defender Mbokazi that required further analysis — specifically, whether he had control of his movement.
“The referee concluded that Mbokazi didn’t have full control over his reaction, making it a deflection. Since the ball reached Mayele, who was in an offside position, the goal was correctly disallowed for gaining an unfair advantage.
“It was a well-executed VAR intervention and a correct interpretation of the laws.”
Damon also addressed the second disallowed goal for Pyramids. Nigerian star Sodiq Awujoola had found the back of the net, but the replay showed that the ball hit his hand in the process.
“As standard procedure, every goal is reviewed by VAR. In this case, the officials noted that the ball had made contact with the scorer’s arm before entering the net,” he added.
“According to the laws of the game, that’s considered a handball, and the goal was rightly ruled out. Once again, VAR and the officiating team applied the rules effectively and accurately.”
Meanwhile, South Africa football giants Mamelodi Sundowns and defending champions Al Ahly drew 0-0 in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Easter Saturday.
Coach Miguel Cardoso made changes after their loss to Kaizer Chiefs last week, Aubrey Modiba, Mosa Lebusa, Jayden Adams and Tashreeq Matthews came in for injured Zimbabwe international Divine Lunga, Lucas Suarez, Bathusi Aubaas and Iqraam Rayners respectively
Bafana Bafana international Teboho Mokoena, who scored a cracker last Sunday, looked to hit another from the edge of the area but sent his effort just wide of Mohamed El Shenawy’s upright.
The Cairo Red Devils weren’t unfazed and carved out an opening of their own when Emam Ashour came short to the area and forced Ronwen Williams into a save with a curling attempt.
Williams was put to work again moments later where he had to pull across his goal-line to gather a potent header from Ashour.
Sundowns almost found themselves trailing on the stroke of halftime, as a first-time header by Nejc Gradisar bounced off the upright with Williams well beaten.
Masandawana struggled to breakdown the stubborn defence in the early parts of the second half and were forced to play through the wings, although there was not much joy on that front.
Cardoso refreshed their attack and saw Arthur Sales come on for Peter Shalulile before Matthews made way for Rayners.
Long-serving Themba Zwane, who just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off, was also introduced for the first time since October, with Adams making way in the midfield.
The Cairo Red Devils had the ball in the net in the last 20 minutes as Gradisar side-footed into the top-corner following a cutback, but the goal ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.
Sundowns contained the Red Devils’ threat in the latter stages with a balanced approach, as the encounter ended all square.
iDiskiTimes, KickOff
