Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane says African football chiefs must prioritise introducing VAR after the CAF Champions League title-holders drew 1-1 at Gendarmerie Nationale of Niger in a last-32 first leg.
Seeking to become the first club to win the elite African competition three seasons in a row, the Cairo outfit led from the 19th minute when Tunisian Ali Maaloul converted a penalty.
But they were denied what Mosimane called “a clear penalty” before Moumouni Diori levelled for the Nigeriens on 75 minutes in Niamey.
South African Mosimane, who has won the Champions League twice with Ahly and once with Pretoria side Mamelodi Sundowns, stressed the need to use VAR in CAF competitions.
“African referees rarely give a second penalty kick to one team,” he told reporters as Ahly launched a campaign to become African champions a record-extending 11th time.
“This is my ninth season as a coach involved in African competitions and, most of the time, a second penalty kick is not given to one team.
“If we do not have VAR in our matches, we will continue to see this situation. We are behind Europe in this regard and VAR would help everyone in Africa.”
Ahly and 10 former African champions were in action with four winning, five drawing and two losing in the first legs of ties that will decide the 16 qualifiers for the lucrative group phase.
Zamalek of Egypt and TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo boast the second most successful Champions League records after Ahly, winning the competition five times each.
