Johannesburg - Two Premier Soccer League coaches are calling for goal-line technology to be introduced after Robert N’gambi’s opener for Platinum Stars in the 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night proved to be controversial.
Replays clearly show the ball, sweetly struck from range by N’gambi, did not cross the line. However, referee Victor Hlungwani awarded the goal in the 21st minute, much to the frustration of Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, who was backed by his Dikwena counterpart Cavin Johnson that it should have never stood.
Goal-line technology had been mooted for several years following illegitimate goals in major competitions around the world, but it was only in December 2012 that Fifa - the football governing body - introduced it at the Club World Cup in Japan that same year. Top European leagues, among them the English Premier League and German Bundesliga have since implemented the use of this system to avoid controversial goals.
“I hope this will not come out as an excuse, but this could have been dealt with in a better manner,” said Komphela shortly after match, a result that meant Chiefs remained winless in three matches from all competitions so far this season. “There is a strong case to recommend we introduce it. And looking at the product in the PSL, I think the game is now at a very high level that we also have to keep up to the standards. This was a huge set back. We dropped two points at the back of that. It could work, saving our jobs and our lives.”
Johnson added that goal-line technology was simply “part of the modern game”. He said he felt tests done on it over the past few years were sufficient. “It’s been tested in the (European) Champions League and we have to go to the mother body, Fifa, and if they embraced it then I am all for it. It wouldn’t bother me if it was introduced,” he explained.
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Independent Media