A former PSL referee has given his expert opinion on suggestions that the late goal scored by Peter Shalulile in Mamelodi Sundowns' 1-0 DStv Premiership win over Royal AM was offside.
Sundowns returned to winning ways and remained unbeaten in the DStv Premiership after Shalulile netted the only goal five minutes before time in a narrow win over Thwihli Thwahla on Saturday.
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Coming on as a late substitute, Lesiba Nku delivered a diagonal cross from the right wing that was headed home by the Namibian at the near post.
There were suggestions after the game that Junior Mendieta, who was in an offside position when Nku crossed the ball, obstructed the vision of goalkeeper Hugo Nyame and therefore the goal should have been disallowed.
Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani said only in one particular angle did it look like Mendieta obstructed the view of the Cameroonian shot-stopper, but the angle from behind the goals shows more clearly that the veteran shot-stopper's view was not obstructed.
"Here we'll talk about interfering with the opponent. Here you see a cross, Shalulile with a beautiful header there, you see Mendieta there in an offside position. The law says it's not an offence to be in an offside position," Hlungwani said on SABC Sport's SoccerZone.
"Some say he interfered with the opponent. From this angle (on the side), we can see that it looks like he interfered with the opponent, but from this angle (behind the goals), you can see that the goalkeeper had a clear view of the ball.
"So, therefore, no offside, no interfering with the opponent from this angle. That's where we can determine and the referee is close by, he can see that the goalkeeper is not obstructed. So, there's no interference with the opponent, so beautiful goal," Hlungwani added.
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Sundowns and Royal AM clash again in the reverse fixture on Tuesday evening at Harry Gwala Stadium.
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