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Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has cast doubt on whether VAR technology will be ready in time for the upcoming PSL season. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Home » AFCON 2025: Ex-FIFA referee on VAR controversy in Bafana Bafana loss

AFCON 2025: Ex-FIFA referee on VAR controversy in Bafana Bafana loss

Bafana Bafana lost 1-0 to Egypt but that encounter was marred by a controversial VAR decision that went against Hugo Broos’ side.

27-12-25 14:21
VAR
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has cast doubt on whether VAR technology will be ready in time for the upcoming PSL season. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Former FIFA and PSL referee Jerome Damon has weighed in on the VAR controversy in Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 loss to Egypt on Friday.

Egypt are already through to the next round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the win.

However, the majority of Bafana Bafana fans are not happy with the referee’s decision not to give the team a penalty.

Hugo Broos’ men were throwing everything at Egypt in the dying minutes of the game, and the penalty incident happened in the 87th minute.

Teboho Mokoena attempted to take a shot at goal but the ball hit Yasser Ibrahim’s hand inside the box.

While the referee blew his whistle for a foul outside the box, the VAR team then called him over.

The referee then made a decision that there was no penalty, and Damon said this the right call to make.

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WHAT’S NEXT FOR BAFANA BAFANA?

Bafana Bafana are currently are currently second on the log with three points collected from the Angola win.

This means the group is still wide open, meaning Bafana Bafana need to avoid defeat against Zimbabwe to advance.

Bafana Bafana went into this AFCON as one of the strong favourites to win it, and Monday’s encounter against Zimbabwe is a do or die.