Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has reportedly shared his thoughts on the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, describing it as one of the biggest football spectacles on the African continent.
Henry acknowledged the magnitude of the encounter, recognising the passion, atmosphere, rivalry and enormous support that make this fixture special. The Soweto Derby continues to demonstrate why South African football deserves greater international recognition, attracting attention beyond the country’s borders.
However, what appeared to concern the former Arsenal and France international was the standard of officiating during the encounter, particularly the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the South African league.
Henry reportedly questioned why a competition featuring such high-profile matches and enormous public interest still does not have VAR to assist match officials in making crucial decisions.
Reflecting on yesterday’s encounter, he highlighted several controversial moments, including possible offside decisions, numerous yellow-card incidents and a potential red-card situation. He expressed concern that some of these incidents were not properly addressed by the match officials.
One of the biggest talking points was Orlando Pirates’ opening goal, which Henry reportedly considered clearly offside. The incident has added further fuel to the debate surrounding the quality of refereeing and the need for modern technology in South African football.
“Listen, I watched the Soweto Derby yesterday, and honestly, everybody knows how big this game is. We are talking about one of the biggest football matches in Africa. The atmosphere, the supporters, the passion… everything about this game is special.
But when I look at what happened yesterday, especially with the officials, I really don’t know what more I can say about this league. What I know is that South African football needs VAR. At least, give the referees some assistance because these decisions are too important.
Let’s talk about Orlando Pirates’ first goal. From what I saw, that was clearly offside. Even the assistant referee was in a position to see what happened, but somehow the goal was allowed. How do you explain that? These are the decisions that can change the outcome of a big match.
Now, regarding the second goal, I have to be honest. That was a very tight decision. We cannot sit here and pretend that every decision is easy for a referee to make.
About the yellow cards and red cards, I think the referee had to manage the game. It was a heated derby, and there were moments when things could have become even worse. So I understand the decision to manage those situations carefully.
This is a massive derby. A match of this magnitude deserves better officiating. VAR is no longer something South African football should ignore.”
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