Referees keep missing clear red cards – please can we have VAR?

The painfully slow road to implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has come into focus again following some shocking challenges that have gone unpunished at the start of the Premier Soccer League season.

Pirates and Sundowns hurt

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli have both been left in the treatment room after abysmal tackles that should have seen red cards for Polokwane City’s Suprise Manthosi and AmaZulu’s Thando Ngwenya. chickenroad-game.rodeo

For a long time in football now the studs-up, over-the-top tackle has been punishable by instant dismissal so it is inexcusable that Manthosi and Ngwenya were not given their marching orders.

Mokoena has been absent from Sundowns’ subsequent two games against TS Galaxy and Kaizer Chiefs. Nduli, meanwhile, only returned from a long-term injury against AmaZulu and has now been confirmed as out for about four months with damage to his ankle ligaments.

Mathonsi and Ngwenya have been able to play on, with the AmaZulu forward netting his fifth goal of the season in Saturdays’ 2-0 Betway Premiership win over Siwelele on Saturday.

No one wants to begrudge the 23-year-old Ngwenya his fantastic start to the season, and to his credit he has issued a public apology to Nduli. But the fact remains that he should be serving a two-match ban.

To be fair to AmaZulu, they also had a perfectly good goal ruled out for a non-existent offside in their 1-1 draw with Pirates. But that only adds to the feeling that the Premiership needs VAR as soon as possible.

Referees need VAR help

Clearly VAR is far from perfect – it is amazing how often the video evidence is looked at and the wrong decision is still arrived at. This is particularly the case in the English Premier League and it was far from perfect too at the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals.

But implemented properly, VAR in South Africa can provide much-needed help to referees. It is a difficult job and it is not always easy to make the correct decision in real time.

The South African Football Association have confirmed that they have received the money promised by government for the implementation of VAR. Now they need to get a move on.

L’international algérien Ahmed Kendouci s’est illustré ce dimanche à l’occasion du 32e de finale de la Coupe de Suisse, disputé sur le terrain de Vedeggio.

Titularisé par le FC Lugano, le milieu de terrain algérien a activement participé au festival offensif de son équipe. Kendouci a notamment trouvé le chemin des filets à la 38e minute, inscrivant le cinquième but de son équipe. Une réalisation qui est venue couronner une première période parfaitement maîtrisée par les visiteurs. À la pause, Lugano menait en effet largement au score sur le score sans appel de 5 à 0. Cette nouvelle prestation vient confirmer la bonne dynamique du joueur algérien, qui cherche à s’imposer durablement dans les plans de son entraîneur. En apportant sa contribution dans le secteur offensif, Kendouci continue ainsi de gagner en confiance et de se montrer décisif avec sa formation suisse. A signaler que Lugano FC avait remporté le match sur le score sans appel de 10 buts à 1.l’Algérien avait cédé sa place en deuxième période.

-ML.

L’article ALG : Premier but de Kendouci est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

En Angola, l'Assemblée nationale a adopté, mercredi 12 août, une loi sur la cybersécurité, avec 104 voix favorables du MPLA au pouvoir et 56 votes contre de l'Unita dans l'opposition. Cette loi suscite l'inquiétude d'une partie de la société civile, qui y voit un volet supplémentaire dans le dispositif sécuritaire mis en place par le pouvoir, à un an de l'élection présidentielle. Au cœur des préoccupations, il y a les conditions d'accès aux données personnelles des utilisateurs d'internet.

The 2026 edition of the City 2 City ultra-marathon has been called off, provincial athletics bodies have confirmed.

The annual 50km race was scheduled to be held between Johannesburg and Pretoria on 27 September.

“The decision follows the inability to secure the necessary financial support and sponsorship required to stage the event to the appropriate standard,” Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) said in a joint statement on Monday.

Previously one of the most popular ultra-marathons in Gauteng, the race was scratched between 2015 and 2023, with organisers failing to rake in sufficient funding.

It was relaunched in 2024 with support from the Gauteng provincial government, and it was held again last year with around 1,700 runners taking part.

At both the 2024 and 2025 editions, a total prize purse of R1.2 million was offered, with R200,000 going to the men’s and women’s winners, which attracted strong fields packed with local and international elite athletes.

However, with the provincial government withdrawing its support, organisers were unable to rope in sponsorships to ensure the 2026 race went ahead.

Looking ahead

CGA and AGN hoped to revive the event next year, provided they could find the required funding.

“We acknowledge the disappointment this decision may cause and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to athletes, clubs, officials, volunteers, partners, stakeholders and members of the public. We thank everyone who has supported the race and contributed to its legacy over the years,” CGA and AGN stated.

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“The cancellation of the 2026 edition does not mark the end of the City 2 City Marathon. CGA and AGN remain committed to preserving its legacy and have commenced engagements with potential sponsors and strategic partners towards creating a sustainable foundation for its return.”

Kaizer Chiefs winger Langelihle Phili has described representing the Soweto giants as a huge honour and privilege after his performance against Mamelodi Sundowns.

He got off the mark for Amakhosi after scoring the opening goal in their 1-1 draw against Sundowns on Saturday.

The 21-year-old has now scored one goal in his first two Betway Premiership appearances as he looks to continue his form in front of goal.

Phili has revealed his gratitude to everyone at the club for creating an environment that has allowed him to perform at his best.

“For me to represent Kaizer Chiefs is an honour and a privilege, and being able to help the team is a testament to the people within the Club and the organisation who have welcomed me with open arms,” Phili told his club’s official website.

“They have provided me with the environment to give something back through doing my best and putting in good performances.”

“Obviously, being at such a great football institution as Kaizer Chiefs you want to play in the big games, so being able to play and score against Mamelodi Sundowns, the African champions, was huge for me, as could be seen from my celebration.”

The post Phili: Scoring Against Sundowns Was a Huge Moment appeared first on SportsClub.