Polokwane City goal against Kaizer Chiefs was correctly awarded, says Hlungwani

Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani says the late Polokwane City goal against Kaizer Chiefs was correctly awarded, rejecting claims that the ball entered through a hole in the net.

Rise and Shine secured a point at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane this past weekend after scoring late in the match.

The equaliser led to debate among some Kaizer Chiefs supporters, who believed the ball had passed through a tear in the side netting before entering the goal.

The claims followed a two-minute delay before kick-off, when match officials identified loose side netting and repaired it.

However, Hlungwani said there was no hole in the net and backed the referee’s decision to allow the goal to stand, despite protests from the Amakhosi fans.

“Some say the net had a hole; there’s no hole here. We didn’t see anything here,” he said on Soccerzone.

“We can see that there’s no hole. The net is secured.”

Hlungwani said the ball struck the chest of Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Petersen before crossing the line.

“Here is the ball on the chest. It does not go behind the goal, but in front of Petersen,” he said.

“The ball comes in here, hits Petersen’s chest, goes inside the net between the goalpost and crossbar.”

He also pointed to the reaction of the Kaizer Chiefs players as further evidence that the goal had been scored legally.

“So, correct decision by the referee to award the goal. Look at the Chiefs players, no one is complaining.”