Durban – Orlando Pirates scored two stoppage-time goals against Stellenbosch FC to win their MTN 8 Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
The highly anticipated final kicked off with the Soweto giants enjoying most of the ball possession.
Stellenbosch FC was more conservative and appeared content to defend and occasionally they ventured forward on a counterattack.
Stellies, who were deemed the underdogs, silenced the fully packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in the first 15 minutes, with a magnificent overhead-kick goal from Lehlohonolo Mojela who finished off Thabo Maloisane’s long throw-in.
Pirates pressed for an equaliser, however, Stellies goalkeeper Serge Stephens and his defense held out for just over 40 minutes.
EzikaMagebhula eventually found the equaliser in the 43rd minute when Monapule Saleng finished off a rebound from Deon Hotto’s free kick.
In the second half, Stellenbosch made their first substitution with Sihle Nduli making way for former Cape Town Spurs Captain, Butsaka.
Pirates coach Jesé Reveiro’s response to Stellies substitution was last season’s MTN 8 final last-minute goalscorer, Relebohile Mofokeng who replaced club captain, Innocent Maela.
Mofokeng’s introduction was followed by Kabelo Dlamini and Tshegofaso Mabasa’s who replaced injured Makhehleni Makhaula, and Evidence Makgopa.
Soon after coming on, young Mofokeng came close to completing Pirates’ comeback, however, Stellies goal minder Stephens pulled out a wonderful save.
Pirates suffered yet another forced substitute when Selaelo Rasebotja replaced injured Thalente Mbatha.
Second-half substitute, Segofatso Mabasa, completed the comeback win for José’s side, before another second-half substitute, Mofokeng scored to put the game beyond Stellies.
Saturday’s win was the third time in a row that Pirates won the MTN 8 Cup.
