Miguel Cardoso laments lack of VAR, says Ashley Du Preez's goal for Kaizer Chiefs should not have stood - 'I think we're penalised enough through this season regarding the refs' mistakes'

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has claimed Ashley Du Preez's goal for Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-final should not have stood on Sunday.

Du Preez, who replaced Wandile Duba, the scorer of the equaliser for Amakhosi, struck the winning goal for his side late in the second half to stun the home side.

Now Cardoso has contested the legitimacy of the goal, saying it should not have been let to stand because the scorer was in an offside position.

“It's obvious that the goal was offside. I think you all saw it; if you didn't see it, go back to look at it because it's clear,” Cardoso said, as per Sowetan Live.

“When we work in a country that doesn't have VAR, that is what happens, but just go back, take the images from TV, and there's a team that loses this competition from a mistake from the referee.

“I think we're penalised enough through this season regarding the refs' mistakes. I remember goals scored in games we didn't win away; Peter [Shalulile] scored more than one goal, and today (Sunday) we are out of the competition, four minutes from the end with an offside goal. It is what it is; we need to stand up.

“We are out of a competition five minutes from the end with a goal that is offside," he added.

The Portuguese tactician now wants VAR to be available for matches because this is the only way games will be officiated in a fairer manner.

“Maybe our sponsors can, in the future, provide VAR for the [cup] semifinals so that there is a fairer game played because it's important in this stage of the competition,” Cardoso urged.

“I remember last year in Tunisia, the first phase of the championship had no VAR, but then the playoffs, all matches had VAR. This is fair for football; sometimes decisions are made in people's lives because of a mistake that has nothing to do with us," he added.

Cardoso's complaints of unfair refereeing against his side come a day after David Radebe said Sundowns have always been helped by the officials to beat Chiefs.

Radebe, who believed that Amakhosi were going to match Sundowns' might, said that the referees have always been unfair during the Chiefs-Downs fixtures.

However, it is not all lost for the Tshwane giants; they have to fight and defend the Premier Soccer League title and hope to win the Caf Champions League.

Meanwhile, as Cardoso laments, Amakhosi's dream of at least getting a trophy in the season is much alive. However, they must see off local rivals Orlando Pirates, the defending champions, if they have to ease the pressure by lifting the cup.

Cardoso does not have enough time to whine; he should focus on the upcoming match against Al Ahly, which is crucial, if not more important than the Nedbank Cup campaign.

The Brazilians, who are chasing a second continental star, are set to host the African giants on April 18 for the semi-final game before a return leg on April 25.