Mauritanian referee under scrutiny over disallowed goal in Mamelodi vs Yanga CAFCL clash
Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida.
What you need to know:
- The disallowed goal scored by midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki has sparked widespread debate and frustration among fans and analysts alike.
- The ball struck the crossbar and clearly crossed the goal line before bouncing back onto the field. However, much to the dismay of Yanga and their supporters, referee Beida controversially disallowed the goal.
Dar es Salaam. Yanga's return to Dar es Salaam from their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals has been overshadowed by a contentious decision made by Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida.
The disallowed goal scored by midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki has sparked widespread debate and frustration among fans and analysts alike.
The incident occurred during a tense match at the Luftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, where Yanga faced off against Mamelodi Sundowns. In the 59th minute, Aziz Ki unleashed a powerful shot after receiving a pass from Kennedy Musonda.
The ball struck the crossbar and clearly crossed the goal line before bouncing back onto the field. However, much to the dismay of Yanga and their supporters, referee Beida controversially disallowed the goal.
The decision has prompted criticism from local referees and analysts, many of whom believe that the goal should have been allowed. Despite the clear evidence that the ball had crossed the goal line, the referee's ruling stood, leaving Yanga frustrated and questioning the integrity of the officiating.
Speaking to The Citizen's sister paper, Mwanaspoti, several individuals expressed their disappointment over the decision, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency in officiating. While the outcome of the match cannot be altered, the incident serves as a reminder of the impact that refereeing decisions can have on the outcome of a game and the importance of ensuring fairness and accuracy on the field.
Referee Erick Onoka, a retired official from Arusha city, voiced his discontent over the disallowed goal in the Yanga vs. Mamelodi Sundowns clash, stating that it was unfair as Yanga’s was a clear goal.
"Many are questioning why the referee didn't go to check the VAR himself, but what I know is that if there is any controversy, the assistants in the VAR room can call him to confirm. For me, Yanga was unjustly denied a valid goal," said Onoka.
Veteran referee Israel Mujuni Nkongo echoed Onoka's sentiments, emphasizing the final authority of the referee in the game. While acknowledging the possibility of mistakes, Nkongo stressed the importance of respecting the referee's decision, regardless of its impact on the outcome.
Another referee, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed surprise at the decisions made during the match the other night. The referee labeled the situation as a blatant injustice, asserting that it deprived Yanga of a clear opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.
"In my view, what occurred amounted to an injustice. Yanga deserved to have the goal awarded as it was legitimate, even upon review in the television replays. Unfortunately, it seems that the hosts benefited from those decisions once again," the referee remarked.
Appeal lodged
Yanga SC has taken action by lodging an appeal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the controversial disallowed goal scored by Aziz Ki in the 59th minute of their recent match. In a letter penned by their Legal Director, Simon Patrick, the Tanzanian Premier League champions raised several concerns, including the referee, Dehane Beida, neglecting to consult the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system before disallowing the goal.
Their complaint, made under Article XVI, suggests suspicions of match-fixing, citing the referee's failure to utilize VAR despite its availability to review the contentious goal situation. Yanga has urged CAF to conduct a thorough investigation using VAR records and match footage to ascertain any biases favoring Mamelodi Sundowns.
Should bias be confirmed, Yanga requests that appropriate action be taken against all implicated parties, alongside implementing stringent measures to prevent such incidents in future matches, as stipulated under Article XVI, Section 3 of CAF's football regulations.
This official complaint follows widespread criticism directed at CAF President and Sundowns owner, Patrice Motsepe. Football enthusiasts, particularly supporters of Young Africans, have voiced their dissatisfaction, calling for a tournament boycott and demanding accountability.
Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Arts, Culture, and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, echoed these sentiments, urging Yanga to file an official complaint, which they have done.
Yanga SC's head coach, Miguel Gamondi, also expressed dismay at the match officials' handling of their CAF Champions League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns. In a passionate post-match press conference, Gamondi criticized both the referee and VAR officials for denying his team what he described as a 'clear goal.'
Reported by Daudi Elibahati and Victoria Melkiad
