VAR calls set to grow after disputed Richards Bay penalty decision

Calls for the introduction of video assistant referees in South African football are likely to intensify after a controversial penalty decision during the opening round of the Betway Premiership.

Richards Bay lost 2-1 to Polokwane City at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Sunday after a second-half appeal for a handball penalty led to a series of changes from the match officials.

Richards Bay players appealed after the ball appeared to strike a Polokwane City player inside the area. The referee initially rejected the claim and awarded a corner.

After speaking to an assistant referee, however, he changed his decision and pointed to the penalty spot. The decision was then overturned again, with the referee ultimately awarding Richards Bay a corner instead.

Television replays indicated that the ball had struck the body of substitute defender Malebogo Modise rather than his hand.

The incident prompted SuperSport TV analyst and former women’s football coach Simphiwe ‘Shorty’ Dludlu to call for the technology to be introduced immediately.

“VAR must come to South Africa now”.

South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has repeatedly urged the authorities to bring VAR to the country’s top division. The Betway Premiership is described as the richest league in Africa, with a first prize of 20 million rand.

Morocco became the first African country to introduce VAR for domestic top-flight matches, while Egypt is another leading football nation on the continent to use the system.

The disputed decision came during a match in which Polokwane City took control early. Ndamulelo Maphangule opened the scoring in the 18th minute, heading a corner beyond Richards Bay’s Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

Polokwane City extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half. Tidimalo Molokwane reacted quickest to a rebound and fired the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

Richards Bay reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Simphiwe Mcineka met a corner with a powerful header.

The home side were unable to find an equaliser, leaving Polokwane City to begin their campaign with a 2-1 victory. The match also featured a contest between Richards Bay’s Lindokuhle Zikhali and Maphangule.

Elsewhere on Sunday, TS Galaxy twice came from behind to draw 2-2 away to Siwelele in Bloemfontein.

The arrival of a contentious officiating decision on the first matchday has renewed concerns about the season ahead. South Africa’s Premier Soccer League has frequently found itself under scrutiny over refereeing errors, with those incidents often taking attention away from the goals and performances on the field.