Pirates lose fifth-title bid, but Ouaddou won’t blame referee
DURBAN — Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou declined to blame referee Abongile Tom after Mamelodi Sundowns won Saturday’s MTN8 final 2–0, instead praising the official for restoring order during a heated contest.
The defeat at Moses Mabhida Stadium ended Pirates’ run of four consecutive titles. Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Iqraam Rayners converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure the trophy for Sundowns.
The late penalty became a point of contention after Tom adjudged Pirates midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi to have tripped Siyanda Ndlovu. IOL’s match analysis disputed the decision, arguing that Ndlovu had tripped over Mokobodi as the players moved inside the area.
Ouaddou, however, refused to criticise Tom at the post-match press conference. “I don’t like to touch on the areas of referees because I never talk about referees,” he said.
The Pirates coach said the physical opening exchanges had threatened to undermine the occasion, with dangerous tackles from both teams and tempers rising on the pitch and technical benches. He credited the officials with speaking to the coaches and bringing the contest under control.
His assessment focused on Tom’s management of the match rather than a public challenge to the penalty decision. Ouaddou praised the referee’s experience and said his intervention allowed the football to improve after the tense start.
Pirates had their own opportunity to change the match in the second half. Trailing 1–0, they were awarded a penalty, but Ronwen Williams saved Gamphani Lungu’s effort to preserve Sundowns’ advantage. Williams later denied Simphiwe Masilela as Pirates continued searching for an equaliser.
The Buccaneers introduced Oswin Appollis at half-time and made further attacking changes later in the game, but could not break through. Rayners’ penalty in the fourth minute of added time then removed any remaining prospect of a comeback.
Sundowns lifted their first MTN8 trophy since 2021 and their fifth overall, denying Pirates a fifth successive crown. Mokoena’s early goal and Williams’ penalty save had kept them ahead before the disputed late decision settled the scoreline.
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