Mbombela – Orlando Pirates wrote their names into South African football history on Saturday night after clinching a record fourth consecutive MTN8 crown with a 3-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at a packed Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
The Soweto giants became the first team in the Premier Soccer League era to win the tournament four times in a row, a feat celebrated by their thousands of travelling supporters.
The match began with Pirates dictating the tempo as Thalente Mbatha surged from his own half before being brought down in the fifth minute. Soon after, teenager Relebohile Mofokeng tested Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens, forcing a corner.
Stellenbosch, guided by coach Steve Barker, absorbed the pressure and nearly shocked Pirates in the 15th minute when Devin Titus forced Lebone Seema into a clearance. Moments later, Thabo Moloisane’s long-range effort sailed over the bar. Despite these scares, Pirates controlled possession and went into the break with the score locked at 0-0.
The second half followed the same pattern. Evidence Makgopa was denied by Stephens early on, while Seema and Kamogelo Sebelebele both failed to convert chances. Stellenbosch fought back around the 70th minute, forcing goalkeeper Sipho Chaine into two sharp saves. With the stalemate unbroken after 90 minutes, the final moved into extra time.
Substitute Tshepang Moremi turned the match in Pirates’ favour just two minutes into the added period, finishing off a clever assist from Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis. Ten minutes later, striker Tshegofatso Mabasa doubled the lead with Moremi turning provider. The 22-year-old midfielder then sealed his brace in the 110th minute, again combining with Appollis.
Moremi’s decisive impact earned him the Man of the Match award as Pirates secured the title after 120 minutes of hard-fought football.
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