Referee, Pierre Atcho takes the VAR goal decision during the CAF Champions League 2025/26 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on the 13 March 2026 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Saturday Mar 14, 2026. 15:00
Stade Malien head coach Mauril Njoya has expressed his displeasure with the VAR decisions in his team’s 3-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarter final tie at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The Blancs de Bamako were outclassed by the Brazilians in Pretoria, with the hosts’ first and third goals, scored by Khuliso Mudau and Iqraam Rayners respectively, being awarded by VAR after originally being called offside.
“There is so much progress to make in the level of VAR because we [conceded] two goals, which are not goals – referee denied goals, but VAR said it’s a goal,” said Njoya in the post-match press conference.
The Cameroonian tactician also criticised Sundowns’ players for attempting to influence the referee.
“I think it was wrong when, you know, Mamelodi Sundowns players are putting pressure on the referee. I think it should not be happening.”
However, Njoya did admit that Sundowns were the better team on the day after taking one more jab at the officiating.
“I don’t know if VAR was working perfectly. It looked like it was not working perfectly. But overall, I can say the Mamelodi Sundowns deserved the win,” he said.
Stade Malien face an uphill battle at home in the second leg, where they will have to throw everything in their arsenal at Sundowns in order to advance.
Njoya believes a comeback is possible.
“I think that it’s football, it can happen, and we think the next match will not be the same as this, I promise you that we are going to win the match in Bamako – even 3-0 to go to penalty kicks, or I don’t know, but we have to score many goals.”
By Nic Gleeson