VAR? Huge controversy taints Orlando Pirates’ MTN win

Orlando Pirates claimed an unprecedented MTN8 treble on Saturday but referee Abongile Tom’s performance has come under the microscope.

Orlando Pirates win a thriller in controversial circumstances

Renowned local agent Mike Makaab wasn’t hiding his disgust at Abongile Tom’s decision to allow Tshegofatso Mabasa’s 91st-minute strike in the final. Pirates fans won’t care much as nothing can be changed now. Also, this isn’t even a decision that would usually need VAR intervention; referee Tom should have been close enough to the action to adjudge that the free-kick needed to be retaken from the correct spot. Yet here we are.

You cannot call it cleverly taken, it was way ahead of where the foul took place. https://t.co/zUCM5Bzdzk

— Mike Makaab (@MikeMakaab) October 5, 2024

Video via @sahil_e_ / X

MTN8 final recap

Lehlohonolo Mejola scored a stunner in the 12th minute to put a cat among the pigeons for Stellenbosch, but Pirates hit back through big-game player Monnapule Saleng on 43 minutes. Super-sub Tshegofatso Mabasa put Pirates in front on 91 minutes amid huge controversy after a free kick was taken a few yards ahead of where the foul took place. Referee Abongile Tom allowed the goal. Relebohile Mofokeng put the icing on the cake in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. 3-1 to Pirates is how it ended. That’s R10 million prize money in the bank for the Buccaneers and another season of bragging rights.

Screamer from Lehlohonolo Mojela. Image: UnplayableZA / X

MTN8 facts & figures

The Buccaneers have won a treble of MTN8 titles and their 13th overall.

Stellies have never lifted the trophy.

The prize fund for this year’s tournament has been hiked to R17 million in total.

Pirates walk away with a R10 million cheque, while Stellies – along with the other six sides to have competed – will earn R1 million.

The other six teams who were eliminated in the earlier rounds were SuperSport United, TS Galaxy, Sekhukhune United, Cape Town City FC, Polokwane City and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs lead the way with 15 titles, followed by their bitter rivals Orlando Pirates with 13.

Pirates are the first side since the tournament’s inception to win the title three years in a row.

MTN 8 trophy Image via @MTNWafawafa on X

What are your thoughts on Abongile Tom’s performance in the MTN8 final?

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