Does South Africa Need the Video Assistant Referee? Fans Debate Issue After Controversial Soweto Derby Calls

• Two decisions during the Soweto Derby have got many fans calling for the Video Assistant Referee to be implemented in South Africa
• Kaizer Chiefs fans feel as if they would have won 3-0 if the Video Assistant Referee was used in the Premier Soccer League
• Mamelodi Sundowns' fans are also calling for VAR after their team were defeated by Maritzburg United due to two incidents that weren't spotted

The debate about whether South Africa needs the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has resurfaced after the Soweto Derby.

The game saw two controversial calls being made, with fans arguing that VAR would have been able to make the right decision.

Kaizer Chiefs went on to win the match but could have won 3-1 had Keagan Dolly’s goal stood. Dolly scored from a tight angle but the goal was disallowed as Dolly was ruled offside, Goal.com reported.

Later, Kwame Peprah scored Pirates’ equaliser, and fans argued that the Ghanaian should have been flagged offside.

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While the derby’s decisions prompted fans to call for VAR, Sundowns’ supporters are also upset over dubious decisions in their game against Maritzburg United. The Team of Choice beat Sundowns thanks to a late penalty, IOL reported, but replays show that the penalty should not have been given.

Had VAR been available, Maritzburg would not have been given a penalty.

Here's how fans reacted to the debate about whether the Premier Soccer League (PSL) should get VAR.

@BennyMagubs:

"Problem is that referees and assistant referees are not penalized they are just given a slap on the cheek...this is why many no longer watch PSL because it has become a joke. Even worse he had a smirk on his face after stating it's offside"

@KhotsoMochesan4:

"My take is that payment to match officials must be delayed and after the analysis of the post-match video, they can get their payments only if they officiated properly, if not they should forfeit their payment"

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@loumnandi:

'That VAR you crying for will come and wish it never happened... VAR is biased too and can also work against your team on a bad day"

@Siya90:

"We are the reason there is VAR today. Frank Lampard was denied a clear goal against Germany at the 2010 World Cup and that is how VAR came to be after England were eliminated from the tournament... In short YES we need VAR in SA."

@KamogeloMalapa3"

"No we don't. How will we be able to pay the referee if he can't fix the match?"

Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates in Soweto Derby, Amakhosi score late to claim league double over Buccaneers

Kaizer Chiefs have beaten their Sowetan rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1. The Amakhosi won the Soweto Derby, thanks to a stunning long-range effort by Reeve Frosler and a late header, from a corner, by Eric Matoho.

Ina game that Sports Brief monitored, Reeve Frosler gave Chiefs the lead which was pegged back by Kwame Peprah, but Mathoho’s goal decided the tie. The start of the game lived up to the hype as both teams went at it from the get-go.

Within the first five minutes, it was end-to-end stuff as both teams looked to get the perfect start. Chiefs looked the more threatening side and could have gone a goal ahead as early as the 10th minute. The Amakhosi countered a Pirates corner but could not find a final pass.