The selection of a referee for the much anticipated Carling Knockout quarter-final between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will be vital and under the microscope after the last four matches between the sides, all won by Sundowns, sparked controversies.
Sikhumbuzo Gasa was the referee entrusted with the first league meeting between the sides this season that Sundowns won 2-1 courtesy of goals from behind by Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Iqraam Rayners, after Ranga Chivaviro had given Amakhosi an early lead.
Gasa had two big calls to make after Rayners goal was flagged offside by his assistant referee, with TV replays showing that it could have gone either way, contrary to initial suggestions, on matchday, that the former Stellenbosch striker was a metre or two offside and also disallowed Chiefs' goal towards the end for an alleged push in the box.
READ: How Chiefs Are Helping Chivaviro With Fan Criticism
Even though the Brazilians won the reverse league fixture against ten-man Amakhosi 5-1 last season in May, former Glamour Boys coach Cavin Johnson and the supporters felt referee Abongile Tom should have disallowed Sundowns' first goal for a foul on a Chiefs player in the build-up, a decision which many felt spoiled the game and gave Masandawana momentum after the encounter was deadlocked at half-time.
The Soweto giants were again at the receiving end of a bad call by referee Luxolo Badi in the MTN8 semi-final second leg last season, which Masandawana won 2-1 and 3-2 on aggregate.
In the dying minutes of the semi-final encounter, Thapelo Maseko kicked Mduduzi Mdantsane from behind in the box but Badi did not award a penalty, which if Chiefs had scored it, they would have gone to the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates on away goals.
READ: Kannemeyer: If You're A Captain At Chiefs...
Tom, alongside his refereeing team, at the beginning of last season was actually suspended after poor match officiating after Sundowns edged Chiefs 2-1, with many refereeing errors in that game.
The former PSL referee of the year, along with his assistant, were in hot water mainly for allowing Ribeiro's first goal for the Brazilians to stand after Peter Shalulile assisted him from what appeared to be an offside position.
