victor hlungwani settles orlando pirates offside controversy as former referee delivers crucial verdict on sekhukhune goal

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 10 NOVEMBER 2026

Orlando Pirates have received an important endorsement from former Premier Soccer League referee Victor Hlungwani following questions surrounding Mpho Padime's goal against Sekhukhune United in the Carling Knockout Cup.

The Buccaneers secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Babina Noko at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 7 November, booking their place in the semi-finals of the competition. However, attention has since turned to the circumstances surrounding the decisive goal, with discussions emerging about whether Padime was in an offside position.

Hlungwani, who is widely recognised for his knowledge of football officiating, has now provided an explanation of the incident, insisting that the referee made the correct decision by allowing the goal to stand.

According to the former official, the positioning of the Pirates attacker at the moment the ball was delivered was crucial in determining whether the goal was legitimate.

"The ball goes to Padime who was not in an offside position from when the ball was crossed. So, correct decision by the referee to award the goal in this situation," Hlungwani explained.

His assessment provides further clarity on the incident and highlights the importance of understanding the offside rule rather than judging a player's position only when the ball reaches him.

For Pirates, the decision means their important victory remains firmly in the spotlight for the right reasons, particularly as they continue their pursuit of another domestic trophy.

Padime was instrumental in the encounter, producing the decisive moment that separated the two teams. His goal came in the first half after Pirates capitalised on a defensive situation inside the Sekhukhune penalty area.

The match was not an easy assignment for Abdeslam Ouaddou's men, as Sekhukhune worked hard to frustrate the defending champions and searched for an equaliser in the closing stages.

Despite the pressure, Pirates managed to protect their advantage until the final whistle, securing qualification for the last four.

Hlungwani's explanation will likely bring further discussion among supporters who have been analysing the controversial moment.

With the semi-finals approaching, Pirates will now shift their attention towards maintaining their momentum as they look to defend their Carling Knockout crown.

For now, the former referee's verdict has provided a clear explanation: in his assessment, Padime was onside when the ball was played, making the decision to award the goal correct.

Source https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2120072029445431484