fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › VAR Implementation › Article

Five glaring referees’ errors in the PSL so far prompts more calls for VAR

Sowetan · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 340 words · By Sihle Ndebele
VAR Implementation PSL Officiating Quality
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Generate a natural audio summary of this story
Daily briefing

What to know about VAR Implementation

Story audio is generated using AI Barely five rounds of fixtures into the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, calls for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) are intensifying as a result of some glaring errors by match officials.

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 1
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Story audio is generated using AI Barely five rounds of fixtures into the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, calls for the implementation of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) are intensifying as a result of some glaring errors by match officials.

Why it matters

We reflect on some of the bungles we’ve already seen so early into the 2026/27 PSL season: - Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s challenge on Sihle Nduli.

Common ground

The AmaZulu striker’s brutal tackle on Orlando Pirates’ Nduli in their league match at Kings Park Stadium last week only saw him get a yellow card instead of a straight red.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.sowetan.co.za/sport/2026-08-19-five-glaring-referees-errors-in-the-p…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 3
schedule Pending 3
info Single Source 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
cancel Disputed 1
verified
Claim 1: “The 2026/27 PSL season has had five rounds of fixtures.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
While web search results mention a 'Premier Soccer League table 2026/2027', there is no specific evidence provided in the search results confirming that exactly five rounds of fixtures have been completed.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is an American men's soccer league established in 2003. The league is officially affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and has auto…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Premier_Soccer_League
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is the administrative body for professional soccer leagues and cups in South Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, and was founded in 1996 following an agreement between…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_Soccer_League
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is an American for-profit soccer league that was founded in Santa Ana in Southern California, with teams in regionalized conferences throughout the United State…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Premier_Soccer_League
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
Claim 2: “Sundowns midfielder Mokoena has missed his side’s last two games after that injury.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm Teboho Mokoena was injured by a tackle from Surprise Mathonsi and missed action (one source specifically mentions missing out for two weeks).
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was an international football tournament held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. The 24 participating national teams were required to register a squad …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_squ…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The PSL awards is an awards evening held annually to honour South African football players, coaches and officials. It is conferred by the Premier Soccer League, with awards given to athletes from the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSL_Awards
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The South Africa men's national football has played at the FIFA World Cup on four occasions, in 1998, 2002, as hosts in 2010, and in 2026 in North America. South Africa did not make it past the first …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_at_the_FIFA_World…
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
Claim 3: “Assistant referees Kamohelo Ramutsindela and Simukele Jali, alongside referee Eugen Mdluli [officiated the TS Galaxy vs Sundowns match].”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim after searching.
cancel
Claim 4: “Surprise Mathonsi’s vicious tackle on Teboho Mokoena when Mamelodi Sundowns beat Polokwane City 3-2 in extra time in the MTN8 quarterfinals at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium early this month.”
DISPUTED
Sources contradict the score and outcome. One source states Sundowns defeated Polokwane City 3-2 after extra time, while another states they beat them 1-0 in the MTN8 quarterfinal.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 MTN 8 is the 52nd edition of the South African soccer competition featuring the top 8-placed teams at the conclusion of the previous Premiership season, and the 19th under its current sponsor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_MTN_8
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Oswin Reagan Appollis (born 25 August 2001) is a South African professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for South African Premiership club Orlando Pirates and the South Af…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswin_Appollis
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 season was Mamelodi Sundowns' 29th consecutive season in the South African Premiership. Sundowns entered the season as defending champions after winning their 17th Premiership title in the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_Mamelodi_Sundowns_F.C.…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 5: “Mokoena was left with a severe cut below his chin.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While sources confirm Mokoena was injured in the match, none of the provided evidence mentions a 'severe cut below his chin'.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mokoena missed the contest after sustaining an injury during the MTN8 quarter-final clash against Polokwane City FC last weekend. Youngster Gomolemo Kekana stepped into the starting line-up in his pla…
https://farpost.co.za/2026/08/12/sundowns-coach-hits-out-at-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Khuliso Mudau, Tashreeq Mathews, Teboho Mokoena, Iqraam Rayners, Mamelodi Sundowns, December 2025 Backpage. Matthews is the best wiger. A clinical Tashreeq Mathews could be the best winger in the leag…
https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/mamelodi-sundowns-3-0-polok…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — But Polokwane City’s defence stood firm and frustrated Sundowns’ attacking stars. The pressure eventually paid off when Teboho Mokoena produced a quality finish after a brilliant cross from new signin…
https://www.snl24.com/sports/sundowns-survive-polokwane-city…
schedule
Claim 6: “referee Alfred “Jelly” Chavani only issued a yellow card [to Zitha Kwinika].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 7: “Referee Philangenkosi Khumalo only brandished a yellow card [to Surprise Mathonsi].”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
The claim states the referee issued a yellow card, but the evidence from the coach explicitly states, 'the player was not yellow-carded for the action.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Teboho Mokoena came off worse after a tackle from Surprise Mathonsi.The coach emphasised the severity of the incident, adding, “This is the injury imposed on Teboho. It was a rough one and the player …
https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-za/cardoso-on-protection-after…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Portuguese mentor felt referee Philangenkosi Khumalo did little to shield the Bafana Bafana international during Sundowns’ 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinal at the weekend.
https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/downs-coach-questions-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Teboho Mokoena's injury from a tackle by Surprise Mathonsi of Polokwane City as shared Sundowns assistant coach Fábio Fernandes. pic.twitter.com/IPdloBFgL4.
https://www.businessday.co.za/sport/soccer/2026-08-12-sundow…
help
Claim 8: “TS Galaxy scored an offside goal in the 77th minute that was allowed to stand when they lost 3-2 to Sundowns in the league at Mbombela Stadium last week.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim after searching.
check_circle
Claim 9: “AmaZulu saw their legitimate goal, scored by Mlondi Mbanjwa, incorrectly ruled out for offside by assistant referee Kgara Mokoena”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that Mlondi Mbanjwa's goal for AmaZulu was ruled out for offside. One source specifically mentions assistant referee Kgara Mokoena in the context of ruling out a goal for offside (though in a different context/match, the general fact of the goal being ruled out is corroborated).
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The hosts thought they had equalised through Mlondi Mbanjwa in the 34th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Just before the half-time whistle, Kamogelo Sebelebele handed Arthur Zwane’ side…
https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/amazulu-1-1-orlando-pirates…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — But referee Thabo Mkhabela chalked it off, penalizing Ekstein for being offside along with second assistant Kgara Mokoena, raising a fury out of Martin after the game.
https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/martin-lashes-out-at-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mlondi Mbanjwa thought he had grabbed the equaliser for Usuthu in the 34th minute, but his goal was ruled offside.There was to be drama on the stroke of half time when AmaZulu were awarded a penalty b…
https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/amazulu-…
schedule
Claim 10: “Siphelele Mkhulise [scored] two late goals to grab maximum points [for Sundowns].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 11: “Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s challenge on Sihle Nduli in their league match at Kings Park Stadium last week only saw him get a yellow card instead of a straight red.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources (a TikTok report and a news article) confirm that Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya received only a yellow card for a challenge on Sihle Nduli at Kings Park Stadium.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Ngwenya received only a yellow card for the challenge, sparking debate among fans who felt the tackle warranted harsher punishment. For Nduli, the setback is heartbreaking. After months of rehabilitat…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/what-happened-to-sihle-ndlul…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya of AmaZulu challenged by Sihle Nduli of Orlando Pirates during Betway Premiership 2026/27 match at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, on Wednesday night.
https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/amazulu-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya of AmaZulu challenged by Sihle Nduli of Orlando Pirates during Betway Premiership match at Kings Park Stadium.
https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/2026-08-12-orlando-pirate…
info
Claim 12: “Nduli... has since been ruled out of competitive action for four months, with the club confirming he had suffered a Grade 3 ligament tear in his ankle.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim consists of articles about Israeli Legal Tech companies, which are completely irrelevant to the claim about Sihle Nduli's injury.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tech&Law is the first legaltech community in Israel, bringing together individuals dedicated for changing law as we know it. We harness our pivotal role in both the legal and tech sectors to help fore…
https://techlaw.co.il/en/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 20, 2022 · This article showcases our top picks for the best Israeli based Legal Tech companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Legal Tech indust…
https://beststartup.asia/32-top-israeli-legal-tech-companies…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 16, 2026 · Israeli legal AI startups raised $180M in Q1 2026 alone, placing Israel as the world's second-largest legaltech market. But the real story is why — and what it means for the global mark…
https://legaltech.news/posts/israel-legal-ai-startup-ecosyst…
schedule
Claim 13: “Zitha Kwinika’s senseless kick on Tashreeq Matthews when Kaizer Chiefs drew 1-all against Sundowns in the league at FNB Stadium on Saturday.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.