“VAR Is Another Pandemic”

For the third consecutive year, Mamelodi Sundowns have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League, having their dreams crushed by Petro de Luanda. The second leg finished in a 1-all draw, however, the Angolan giants sealed the deal in the first leg with a 2-1 victory in Angola. Masandawana will have to wait until next year’s competition to relive their 2016 title-winning tournament. The second leg between these two African giants was filled with more controversy. After the match, Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi was asked about what he felt went wrong, he said he felt VAR played a role. When asked about this, he said “I wouldn’t say they were right or wrong, but I just feel in a game it has an effect when you have too many stoppages and maybe four or five minutes in the issue of Denis (Onyango) and the handball, I think that’s a decision that can be taken very quickly.”

The fans and Sundowns supporters are in agreement with Manqoba, with many fans expressing disgust towards the way VAR is used, and not only on the African continent! Many fans however also expressed their feelings towards the arrogance of Sundowns; Some fans thought that their team went into the second leg ‘having already one.’

On the latest episode of the Fan Reaction Show, Mamelodi Sundowns and soccer fans alike unite in expressing their apprehension about Sundowns’ loss to Petro de Luanda. Masandawana fans explain that their team potentially went into the match being too arrogant and how VAR could be improved.