Renowned former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani has issued his verdict on what Raja Casablanca claimed was a disallowed goal during their high-stakes CAF Champions League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Miguel Cardoso era kicked off on a positive note for Masandawana as they collected their first win of the Champions League group stage thanks to a second-half goal by Iqraam Rayners.
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The match was not without controversy as the visitors saw two of their goals disallowed for offside, with head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto calling for the implementation of VAR in his post-match assessment of proceedings.
One of these incidents that looked particularly down to the wire happened on the 74th minute when Sabir Bougrine - who was onside when he struck the ball - latched on to the end of a set-piece and scored for the visitors.
However, the match official ruled the goal out for offside.
A displeased Sa Pinto argued it was a clear goal.
Reviewing the match on SABC's SoccerZone, Hlungwani has revealed that the goal was indeed offside.
"If we see here, we see that there are two players [getting ready to kick the ball] - one is onside, another is offside," Hlungwani said.
"Firstly, it is not an offence to be in an offside position, the referee shall wait and see [if you interfere with play or gain an advantage].
"When we play the clip, a shot comes in, a player [who is offside] does something there [attempts to kick the ball, blocking Ronwen Williams' view].
"He is in line of vision of the goalkeeper and that is interfering with an opponent. He also makes an obvious action that impacts the ability of the goalkeeper to play the ball.
"So, this is offside, for interfering with an opponent. So, correct decision by the referee is to flag for offside because the player is offside and is interfering with an opponent," explained the former referee.
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The win keeps Sundowns in second place in Group B, only behind on goal difference to group leaders AS FAR after three matches.
They now turn their attention back to the Betway Premiership, where Stellenbosch FC lie in wait at DHL Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 19:30.