Koller: CAF must reconsider VAR for group stages

01/20/2025 08:00 AM

Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller has called for the video assistant referee (VAR) to be used in the CAF Champions League group stages after claiming they had a legitimate goal ruled out against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

The Red Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Buccaneers at the Cairo International Stadium which meant they finished four points behind Jose Riveiro’s side as runners-up in Group C.

After a goalless first half, Relebohile Mofokeng broke the deadlock on 53 minutes, although Hussein El Shahat hit back for the hosts 16 minutes later with a deft lob over Sipho Chaine from the edge off the box.

However, Tshegofatso struck the decisive blow for Pirates in the 83rd minute as they beat the 12-time African champions for the third time in Egypt.

Al Ahly thought they had equalised again in stoppage time when Amr El Solia found the back of the net, only for the assistant referee to flag the goal for offside.

Koller refused to blame the match officials for the disallowed goal, instead criticising the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for not employing VAR in the biggest club competition on the continent.

“Al Ahly scored a valid goal that was disallowed by the referee for no clear reason. It is sad that we lost due to a refereeing error,” the Swiss tactician said in his post-match press conference.

“Why does CAF not use video technology in the group stage? The African Champions League is the biggest tournament at the competitive level on the continent.

“We apologise to the referees because they did not see all the refereeing cases clearly and it is important they are provided with assistance. CAF must reconsider the decision to exclude VAR from the group stage.”