By Nhlakanipho Mnqayi
Extra-time was needed in a sold-out Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga for Orlando Pirates to write their name in history as they beat Stellenbosch 3-0 in the MTN8 final.
Orlando Pirates substitutes Tsepang Moremi and Tshegofatso Mabasa were on target in extra time as Moremi scored in the 2nd minute, and Mabasa found the back of the net 12 minutes later. The substitutes united again as Appolis played a sublime through pass to Moremi, who finished clinically to see his second goal of the night.
It was the Buccaneers who showed hunger in the first half of the match as they went to half-time, both sides tied at 0-0 apiece. During the second half, neither of the sides could break the deadlock as the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.
Stellies were determined to flip the script and clinch their first ever MTN8 title, but the Sea Robbers stood ground and walked away with R10 million.
Speaking to the media after the match, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said that it was a very tactical game.
“I told my team that we have to be patient because we will win the game in small margins. We’ve been studying them since the beginning, and we knew that it will be difficult because they prepared very well,” said Ouaddou.
The coach also thanked his players and coaching staff for the wonderful work they did.
Stellies coach, Steve Barker, said in the first 90 minutes, his side was competitive.
“It was a 50-50 game, but obviously, I think in extra time we were beaten by a better team. They took their chances well,” he said.
Barker said they were proud of another final, and they will dust themselves up since they are playing a league game on Wednesday.
Pirates’ win meant they have now clinched a record 14th MTN8 title, one shy of Kaizer Chiefs, who has 15 titles.
