{
  "id": 13663778,
  "title": "Pirates' coach Ouaddou refuses to blame referee after MTN8 final defeat to Sundowns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pirates-coach-ouaddou-refuses-to-blame-referee-after-mtn8-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-11T06:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/2026-10-11-pirates-coach-ouaddou-refuses-to-blame-referee-after-mtn8-final-defeat-to-sundowns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orlando Pirates' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed no criticism towards the referee, Abongile Tom, following Pirates' 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final. Ouaddou commended Tom's expertise, citing his ability to maintain control amidst a physical match that required numerous yellow cards. The match started fiercely, with both teams displaying aggressive play. Despite the challenges, Tom was able to restore order, which Ouaddou appreciated. A controversial penalty awarded to Sundowns in stoppage time after Thapelo Mokobodi appeared to trip Siyanda Ndlovu was eventually overturned by replays. However, Sundowns scored the decisive penalty, which Ouaddou acknowledged as a testament to Tom's experience as an international FIFA referee. Ouaddou emphasized that referees are integral to the game, and it's their role to ensure fairness and order.",
  "summary": "Abdeslam Ouaddou praised referee Abongile Tom despite penalty controversy in Pirates’ MTN8 final loss.",
  "key_points": [
    "Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou blamed no one after Pirates' 2-0 loss to Sundowns.",
    "Referee Abongile Tom praised for maintaining control in physical match.",
    "Controversial penalty overturned by replays, Sundowns won in stoppage time."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}