Al Ahly coach fumes at VAR for missing obvious penalty in Sundowns clash
Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller shared his thoughts on his side’s 1-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, including his issues with the VAR officials on the day.
The Red Devils succumbed to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Bafana Ba Style in the first leg of the CAF African Football League [AFL] semi-finals at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Ex-SuperSport United man Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal of the day in the 52nd minute of the contest to give Sundowns an advantage going into the second leg.
AL AHLY COACH MARCEL KOLLER ON VAR
Al Ahly were looking to bounce back from a goal down and level matters but it was never meant to be.
Disappointed Ahly coach, Koller, came forward to express his frustrations with the VAR officials in post-match interview.
“I think we have done a good game in general. The first half we played a very defensive game and we must have played a more offensive game,” said Koller.
“In the second half, we got the goal erroneously. It was our own mistake, a missed pass from us which caused the goal.
“After the goal, it was an equal game. I think we had a clear penalty. The referee should have seen it.”
The Egyptian giants mentor continued: “I ask myself why the VAR is here when he [referee] is not checking balls or penalty.”
Meanwhile, Koller and his boys will be gunning to bounce back stronger from the 1-0 goal deficit.
“We have a chance in Cairo and we are going to fight for our chance,” he added.
THE SECOND LEG TO BE PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY
The second leg will take place on Wednesday, 1 November 2023. The game will start at 20:00 [SA time] at Cairo International Stadium, in Egypt.
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