Manqoba Mngqithi puts question mark on Peter Shalulile's record-breaking goal in Mamelodi Sundowns' slim PSL win over Stellenbosch FC - 'Another dubious penalty, let’s not lie here'

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Stellenbosch 1-0 in a Premier Soccer League match at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Peter Shalulile made the difference by scoring from the penalty spot after he was fouled inside the box. 

But Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi is convinced it was a "dubious" penalty which saw the Namibian scoring his 130th PSL goal to become the all-time leading scorer in the league.  

“I was so happy for him. I was watching that game and I saw what happened," said Mngqithi as per FARPost.
"Another dubious penalty, to be honest, let’s not lie here. It’s another dubious penalty because I don’t think that penalty was inside the box."

Besides the Sundowns match, Mngqithi moved to Arrows' 1-0 defeat by Kaizer Chiefs as another game marred by controversial calls by the referee. 

He feels Abafana Bes'thende deserves a penalty when midfielder Sandile Sithole appeared to have been challenged by the Amakhosi duo of Thabiso Monyane and Inacio Miguel. 

“We created what I think was a clear penalty in my opinion, but I think in South Africa, maybe things are different, but I think it was a clear penalty," said Mngqithi.

“The only sad thing is that sometimes when you look at these decisions of penalties and free-kicks and fouls in the PSL, I don’t think we are winning much without VAR. You can say whatever you want to say because without VAR, we are a little bit exposed,” added the former Sundowns coach.

“Decisions are taken, and you move on. Nobody talks, it’s Golden Arrows by the way, so nobody talks. But if it’s somebody else, maybe something happens, but the honest truth is, referees have been given this carte blanche way of doing what they want. Even if the decision is atrocious, it’s okay.”

After this weekend's matches, PSL teams take a break to allow the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Shalulile would be keen to return and extend his goals record, while referees will also be in the spotlight to check if their decisions do not spoil the game.