‘We need it now’ – Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie calls for VAR in SA football

Published on by Joel Oliver, updated on

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has joined calls to have Video Assistant Referee (VAR) introduced in the PSL.

This follows questionable calls witnessed during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Sundowns’ second goal was a controversial one as Lucas Ribeiro Costa appeared to be slightly offside when he received the ball before squaring to Iqraam Rayners to score and there was another moment of surprise when referee Referee Sikhumbuzo Gasa ruled out Chiefs’ equaliser.

Gayton McKenzie is not mincing his words

Following the game, fans expressed their disappointment at the standards of officiating in the game, and the PSL in general, and McKenzie has waded into the issue, saying the introduction of the technology is long overdue.

“All football loving fans know that the time for VAR has arrived in SA football,” McKenzie said via a social media post.

“We need VAR & we need it now, those meetings start now because we are not a 10th world country. I shall report back soonest after meeting SAFA & the PSL this week.”

Sundowns maintain winning streak with victory over Chiefs
Thapelo Morena and Mduduzi Shabalala – Photo by Kaizer Chiefs

What does Nabi make of the lack of VAR in SA?

Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi was among those who were furious by the standards of officiating as he felt his team were on the wrong end of the decisions.

“I’m surprised that in South Africa we don’t work with VAR – it’s impossible in Morocco, Tunisia, or North Africa. A big country like South Africa with a big federation and national team, and we don’t work with VAR,” said Nabi.

VAR’s introduction in the PSL has been a subject of discussion in recent years but SAFA said the country is still not ready, given the high cost involved, as well as the lack of enough trained personnel in the country.

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Joel Oliver

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.