Did Chiefs beat Arrows with an offside goal? Ex-PSL referee delivers verdict

Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani has confirmed that Aden McCarthy was in an offside position when he scored Kaizer Chiefs’ goal in their 1-0 win over Golden Arrows.

Chiefs beat Arrows in the PSL last Wednesday but the goal was highly contested with coach Manqoba Mngqithi furiously hitting out at the referee for allowing an ‘offside goal’ to stand.

There have been mixed opinions over the goal but many suggested McCarthy was in an offside position when he headed home from close range in the 39^th minute of the game.

Aden McCarthy gets his first senior goal for Amakhosi ✌️🟡

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From a freekick taken by Lebohang Maboe, Glody Lilepo headed towards goal with Arrows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa punching it out but McCarthy was just nearby to head home the rebound.

Ex-ref on why Chiefs were lucky

There were shouts of offside from Arrows players but they fell on deaf ears as the goal stood. However, Hlungwani agrees that Mngqithi’s side were on the end of a poor decision.

“When the freekick was taken by Maboe, there was no one in an offside position. Freekick was taken then [Glody] Lilepo jumped,” Hlungwani said on Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube.

Lebohang Maboe heads the ball as Aden McCarthy looks on against Golden Arrows.

“When he jumped, it looks like he played the ball, but we’ll show you on Soccer Zone. If Lilepo played the ball, then Aiden McCarthy was already in an offside position. Now, what does the law say? The law says it is not an offence to be in an offside position.

Aden McCarthy was offside

“When you are in an offside position, we’ll wait and see if you’ll play the ball, or interfere with an opponent, or gain an advantage by being in that position. Now, the ball goes to the goalkeeper, who then plays it back into play. So now, when it comes back, McCarthy played the ball,” he further.

Manqoba Mngqithi speaking in a pre-match interview — Manqoba Mngqithi

‘The Principal,’ as he is popularly known, then explained why the Chiefs goal should not have been allowed to stand.

“When he [McCarthy] plays the ball from an offside position, underline this one, from an offside position, he is now gaining an advantage by being in that position,” he said. “Therefore, flag should go up for offside reason, gaining an advantage by being in that position.”