Naturena Controversy: Former PSL Referee Breaks Silence on Badi’s Soweto Derby Decisions

Soweto Derby Controversy: Former PSL Referee Weighs In On Badi’s Decisions After Pirates Beat Chiefs

The controversial officiating during Saturday’s Soweto Derby has come under fresh scrutiny after former Premier Soccer League (PSL) referee Zolile Mthetho shared his assessment of the decisions made by match official Luxolo Badi.

Orlando Pirates secured a 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on 31 October 2026, but the result was accompanied by debate surrounding several refereeing decisions that attracted attention during and after the encounter.

With the Soweto Derby carrying enormous significance for both clubs and their supporters, the performance of the match officials became another major talking point following the final whistle.

Mthetho’s comments have added another dimension to the discussion, particularly because of his experience as a former PSL referee.

His assessment is significant in a match where officiating decisions can quickly become the centre of attention, especially when the two Soweto giants are involved.

Chiefs supporters have had questions about some of Badi’s calls, while Pirates supporters will be celebrating a result that secured bragging rights over their traditional rivals.

However, assessing controversial decisions requires more than simply considering the reactions of supporters. The Laws of the Game, the referee’s positioning, the available view of incidents and the interpretation of individual situations all matter.

The match was played with considerable intensity, and the officiating became a major subject of discussion after the final whistle.

Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz also expressed concerns about aspects of the refereeing, including an alleged offside decision and a second-yellow-card incident.

Those concerns have contributed to the wider debate about whether the important decisions during the encounter were handled correctly.

Mthetho’s intervention is therefore likely to attract attention from football followers interested in understanding the technical side of the controversial calls.

Away from the officiating debate, Pirates emerged with all three points after defeating their Soweto rivals 2-1.

The result was a significant moment in the rivalry, while Chiefs were left to reflect on another disappointing derby performance.

For Da Cruz and his technical team, the immediate priority will be responding positively in their next fixture. Meanwhile, the discussion surrounding Badi’s performance is likely to continue as supporters await further analysis.

The key question remains whether Mthetho believes the major decisions were correct under the Laws of the Game. His specific verdict will be important in separating the technical assessment from the emotions that naturally follow a fiercely contested Soweto Derby.

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