Fernando Da Cruz Calls for VAR After Another Frustrating Kaizer Chiefs Outing

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz has added his voice to the growing calls for the introduction of Video Assistant Referee technology in the Betway Premiership after another frustrating result for Amakhosi. Chiefs were held to a 1-1 draw by Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, leaving the team with another opportunity missed in their push for positive results. While Da Cruz was careful not to directly criticise the match officials, he used his post-match comments to explain why he believes VAR could play an important role in improving decision-making in the league. The French coach pointed to incidents from Chiefs’ recent matches where he believes the availability of technology could have changed the outcome of key decisions. His comments have once again brought the question of VAR in South African football into focus.

The draw against Polokwane City was another difficult evening for Chiefs, who were unable to turn their chances and periods of pressure into a victory. Results like this have placed greater attention on the finer details of matches, particularly when controversial decisions become part of the discussion afterwards. Da Cruz acknowledged the challenges faced by referees and made it clear that his comments were not intended as a personal attack on match officials. Instead, he focused on the broader issue of whether referees in the Betway Premiership could benefit from additional technological assistance. His position reflects the view that VAR could provide another layer of support in situations where decisions are difficult to make in real time. For Chiefs, the debate has become particularly relevant because of several incidents Da Cruz believes have gone against his team.

The coach specifically referred to a recent match against Richards Bay when discussing the importance of VAR. According to Da Cruz, Chiefs were involved in a transition situation where an offside decision was made despite his belief that there had been no infringement. He also highlighted the previous match against Siwelele, where Chiefs had a goal ruled out for offside that he believes should have stood. These incidents have contributed to his argument that technology could help reduce the possibility of decisive errors during important moments. Da Cruz said he did not want to attack the referee because he understood the difficulty of making such decisions without VAR available. His comments instead placed the focus on whether the league should provide officials with more technological assistance to support their work.

Da Cruz explained that he believes VAR could ultimately contribute to the quality of the championship by helping referees review certain decisions. The coach also acknowledged that technology would not always work in Chiefs’ favour, which is an important part of his argument. He pointed out that decisions could sometimes go against his team after a review, but there would also be occasions when VAR could help Chiefs. This suggests that his support for the system is not simply based on wanting favourable decisions for Amakhosi. Instead, he sees VAR as a tool that could potentially improve accuracy and consistency across the competition. The introduction of such technology would therefore affect every club and not only Kaizer Chiefs.

The absence of VAR has continued to form part of wider conversations around officiating in South African football. In football, offside decisions can be extremely difficult to judge accurately because they often involve small margins and split-second movements. Referees and assistant referees have to make these calls in real time, sometimes while players are moving at high speed and obstructing their view. VAR can provide additional footage and different angles that may assist officials when reviewing certain incidents. However, its effectiveness also depends on the technology, protocols, resources and implementation available to a competition. Da Cruz’s comments therefore highlight not only the frustration surrounding individual decisions but also the broader question of how technology could be used to support officiating in the Betway Premiership.

For Chiefs, the immediate priority will be finding a way to turn draws and difficult performances into victories as the season continues. The 1-1 result against Polokwane City means Da Cruz and his technical team will have to assess both the performance and the areas that prevented the team from taking all three points. While refereeing decisions can influence matches, Chiefs will also need to focus on their own execution, defensive organisation and ability to take advantage of scoring opportunities. Da Cruz’s VAR comments have added another dimension to the discussion surrounding the club, but the team cannot afford to lose sight of matters within its own control. The coach will be expected to prepare his players for another demanding league fixture before the international break.

Chiefs will next travel to KwaZulu-Natal to face Golden Arrows on Sunday in what promises to be another important Betway Premiership encounter. The fixture gives Amakhosi an immediate opportunity to respond after dropping points against Polokwane City. Golden Arrows will also present a different tactical challenge, meaning Da Cruz and his coaching staff will have to make the necessary adjustments during the build-up to the match. Attention will likely remain on both Chiefs’ performance and the officiating as the team looks to return to winning ways. With the international break approaching afterwards, securing a positive result will be an important objective for the club.

Da Cruz’s call for VAR comes at a time when every decision can attract significant attention in a highly competitive league. His comments show that the Chiefs coach believes technological assistance could benefit referees while potentially improving confidence in important decisions. At the same time, he has recognised that VAR would not guarantee that every decision goes in favour of the team affected by it. For Chiefs, the focus now shifts back to the pitch as they prepare to face Golden Arrows and attempt to put the disappointment of another draw behind them. Whether VAR is eventually introduced into the Betway Premiership remains a matter for the league and its stakeholders, but Da Cruz has made it clear that he believes technology could have a meaningful role to play in the future of South African football.