Controversy Surrounding The MTN8 Final: Referee Decisions Under Fire

• Ex-referee Victor Hlungwani criticizes referee Abongile Tom’s calls during the MTN8 final on October 5, 2024, stating both teams benefited from questionable decisions.
• Hlungwani claims that goals scored by Lehlogonolo Mojela and Tshegofatso Mabasa should not have counted due to rule violations.
• Social media backlash against Tom highlights growing dissatisfaction with his performance in high-stakes matches.

Let’s talk about the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC on October 5, 2024. Former referee Victor Hlungwani is speaking out, claiming that both teams got lucky thanks to some pretty questionable referee calls. Now, this isn’t just a matter of opinion—it’s rooted in the rules of the game, and it’s sparking a lot of debate among fans and analysts alike.

The match ended with Orlando Pirates taking home a 3-1 victory, marking their third consecutive MTN8 title. But here’s the kicker: both teams scored goals that started from situations where the ball was clearly in an illegal position. That’s right—neither side played entirely by the book, and yet, they were allowed to capitalize on those mistakes.

Take Lehlogonolo Mojela’s stunning opening goal for Stellenbosch FC, for instance. It came after Thabo Moloisane executed a throw-in from an advanced position—way outside the legal area. Then there’s Tshegofatso Mabasa’s strike for Pirates, which was set up by a quick free-kick that didn’t follow protocol. These aren’t just small infractions; these are fundamental errors that could change the course of a game.

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Victor Hlungwani Breaks Down the Controversy

In a detailed breakdown (check out the video below), Hlungwani explains why he believes referee Abongile Tom made critical errors during the match. Specifically, he points out that Mabasa’s goal shouldn’t have counted because the free-kick wasn’t taken from the correct spot. And let’s be real—if that goal hadn’t stood, the outcome of the game might have been very different.

According to KickOff, Hlungwani had this to say about Tom’s performance:

“The law is crystal clear—it states that the free-kick must be taken from the exact location where the offense occurred. In this case, it wasn’t. The ball wasn’t placed within the proper radius, and that’s why the referee should have intervened. This wasn’t just a mistake; it was a significant error that altered the course of the match.”

Fans Take to Social Media to Voice Their Frustration

It’s no surprise that fans weren’t exactly thrilled with Tom’s performance. Social media exploded with criticism, with many pointing out that both teams benefited from poor refereeing. Let’s take a look at what some of them had to say:

Otsile Molton Sephai pointed out the issue with Stellenbosch FC’s goal:

“Let’s not forget that Stellies’ goal was also flagged. That throw-in was clearly taken from an advanced position. Both teams got away with it, but it doesn’t make it right.”

Mpendulo Mashumi summed up the sentiment of many when he said:

“It’s almost like the teams robbed each other. Two illegal goals? Come on. But if I had to pick one, Pirates’ goal was way more controversial. Just… wow.”

Nyiko Filmmaker Ngcobo laid the blame squarely at Tom’s feet:

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“I can only blame the ref, Abongile Tom. He’s always involved in these kinds of controversies. It’s time for him to step away from big games. Why keep ruining matches?”

Lonwabo LonBee Gebashe expressed frustration with the overall standard of officiating:

“Our officials are embarrassing. They don’t deserve to represent South Africa in CAF matches. Honestly, they’re a joke.”

Not everyone agreed with Hlungwani, though. Mthokozisi Mtho fired back, saying:

“Victor Hlungwani? Please. The man was a bad referee himself. He used to pull the same stunts back in the day. Hypocrisy much?”

Gayton McKenzie Calls for VAR Implementation

Amid all the chaos, National Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has thrown his support behind the push for Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology. As reported by Briefly News, McKenzie made this call following another controversial match earlier in the month. On September 28, Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1, but Amakhosi were denied a potential equalizer due to a debatable offside call.

McKenzie’s plea for VAR isn’t just about fairness—it’s about elevating the quality of South African football. With so much riding on each decision, having access to technology that ensures accuracy could make all the difference. Of course, implementing VAR comes with its own set of challenges, but for many fans and officials, it’s a step in the right direction.