Controversy Surrounding Abongile Tom In The MTN8 Final

Holifil

02 Apr, 2025

Abongile Tom was at the center of attention during the thrilling MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC.
The decisions made by the South African referee have sparked heated discussions among fans and even the Stellenbosch head coach, Steve Barker.
Soccer enthusiasts from all sides have weighed in on Tom's performance, offering both praise and criticism.

When the final whistle blew at the MTN8 championship match between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC, the scoreline read 3-1 in favor of the Buccaneers. However, the game wasn’t without its controversies. A contentious goal late in the match left Stellenbosch, or the Stellies as they're affectionately known, feeling hard done by. Despite taking an early lead, the team found themselves on the wrong end of a result that many believe was influenced by the officiating.

Steve Barker, the head coach of the Maroons, wasn’t shy about voicing his concerns. He pointed out what he perceived as three critical errors made by the central referee, Abongile Tom, during the Buccaneers' second goal. This strike, scored by Tshegofatso Mabasa in stoppage time, shifted the momentum dramatically. The Pirates' subsequent goal by Relebohile Mofokeng effectively sealed the victory, leaving little room for Stellenbosch to recover.

Fans took to social media to express their views on Abongile Tom's performance during the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Photo: Eurasia Sport Images. Source: Getty Images

How Fans Graded Abongile Tom's Performance

The pivotal moment in the match, when the referee’s decisions came under scrutiny, had a significant impact on how fans evaluated his overall performance. Social media lit up with opinions as supporters dissected every call made by Tom. As a FIFA-registered official, expectations were understandably high, and reactions were mixed. Some praised his efforts, while others were less forgiving, questioning his ability to handle such high-stakes matches.

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Netizens Weigh In on Tom's Officiating

The conversation on social media was lively, with fans expressing a range of emotions. BBK29_ offered a measured assessment, giving Tom an 8 out of 10. They pointed out that the only real misstep was allowing a quick free kick to be taken from the wrong spot. They also reminded critics to focus on qualifying for finals before critiquing others' performances.

"8/10 He only made 1 mistake to allow quick free kick to be taken at a wrong place. Haters must just focus on first qualifying for finals before they can talk about finals."

Not everyone shared this view. Thekeycritic was blunt in their critique, suggesting that Tom should never referee again. SikhoMagadla chimed in, advocating for post-match interviews with referees to provide clarity on their decisions. Slowboys10 celebrated the Buccaneers' historic third consecutive MTN8 title, deflecting the officiating debate to Safa, the governing body.

"Orlando Pirates won the MTN8 final for the 3rd time in a row. History made, which is worth celebrating. Let Safa deal with the question of officiating. Wena as media what is your view?"

ImMESHB took a personal stance, acknowledging that their team benefited from the referee’s calls but feeling sympathy for Tom, suggesting the match might have been too much for him. givenkokela was more critical, arguing that one decision altered the game's outcome irreparably, tarnishing the sport's image. They demanded that Tom be barred from future matches.

"He decided the game outcome with one decision, irreparable damage to the game, bad publicity for our game. To all those that only care about winning, congratulations. I love soccer too much to celebrate mediocrity. Tom must be Bared from refereeing our games."

SiyabongaN30631 echoed these sentiments, labeling the game as embarrassing and questioning the competence of both the central and assistant referees. They highlighted the recurring issue with Tom's involvement in Pirates games, suggesting it might be time for a change.

"Embarrassing. For a game of this magnitude to be decided by the ref💔. A beautiful game of football displayed.. Not just from any ref but from Tom who has always been the center of attention when involved in Pirates games. I also feel the assistant refs don't do their job well."

Unpacking the Three Errors in the Match

According to a report by Briefly News, Steve Barker outlined the three specific errors made by the match officials during the Pirates vs Stellenbosch encounter. The coach expressed disappointment, lamenting that the referee’s late-game decision overshadowed what was otherwise a commendable performance by both teams. Barker emphasized that the Stellies had shown great resilience and skill throughout the match, only to see it all undone by what he perceived as poor officiating.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the role of the referee in high-stakes matches is more critical than ever. Whether you side with the Pirates or feel sympathy for the Stellies, it’s undeniable that Abongile Tom’s decisions left an indelible mark on the outcome of the MTN8 final.