Coach Rulani Mokwena has welcomed the presence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Young Africans at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Tanzania this evening.
Sundowns have been pitted Yanga in the Champions League quarter-finals after finishing top of Group A of the continental tournament.
The Brazilians missed the chance to play in the Champions League finals last season after being beaten on away goal rule by Wydad Casablanca in the semi-finals of the competition.
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The Brazilians are determined to reach the Champions League finals, but Mokwena has now made a plea to the officials with regards to VAR in the tournament.
"I think it's good. VAR it comes at a very good time after the Africa Cup of Nations. The level of refereeing is magnificent. We had even one of the best coaches in the World Jose Mourinho speaking about the qualities of the VAR and how referees handled the Cup of Nations," said Mokwena when asked about the presence of the VAR during the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League ahead of their meeting with Yanga in Da es Salaam tonight.
"I was watching some of the games during the Africa Cup of Nations and I saw a lot of familiar faces with referees and I said oh are these referees better than I have seen them officiating? Some you think are very good and should be there. Others you think before the game and you ask why is doing such important games during the Africa Cup of Nations and then he surprises with a magnificent performance".
"So hopefully they continue like that because they have been amazing, particularly during the Africa Cup of Nations and I am hopeful the standard of officiating and the influence of VAR stays at that level where the rest of the World says this is how VAR should be used to influence the performance of referees and minimize mistakes, hopeful happens, and let's see how it goes," he added.
Mamelodi Sundowns is set to miss the services of midfielder Themba Zwane for the CAF Champions League match against Yanga in Tanzania today due to a yellow card suspension.
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