The 2024/25 season has barely started, but it is already being marred by the same old issue of poor officiating, which has seen football followers on social media calling for referee Abongile Tom's suspension.
A red-hot Orlando Pirates beat SuperSport United 3-1 in the MTN8 quarterfinals at Orlando on Saturday, with top referee Tom making what would be described as 'questionable decisions' along the way.
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Last season, Tom was suspended for four weeks due to poor officiating in an encounter between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, which took place on August 9.
In that match, he allowed Lucas Ribeiro Costa's goal to stand even though Peter Shalulile had provided the assist him from an off-side position.
The Brazilians won that game 2-1.
Most coaches are set to continue to lose their jobs this season as the standard of refereeing in the country continues to decline.
Tom's performance in last weekend's game was expected to be on top of the agenda in the weekly referees' review committee.
The SAFA referees' review committee usually bans match officials who are found to be in the wrong for four weeks, and it remains to be seen if that will be the case with Tom as some some believes his mistakes do not particularly warrant a suspension.
According to SABC resident referee and former match official Victor Hlungwani, Tom should have awarded SuperSport United a penalty in the 21st minute after the ball hit the arm of a Pirates defender.
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He also pointed out how the Pirates' first goal in the 44th minute should have been ruled offside.
Furthermore, Hlungwani believes Patrick Maswanganyi should have been sent off in the 88th minute after hitting a Matsatsantsa player with an elbow.