Pirates beat Stellenbosch to win record fourth straight MTN8 crown

ORLANDO Pirates cemented their dominance in South African Cup football on Saturday night, defeating Stellenbosch 3-0 in extra time at Mbombela Stadium to lift the MTN8 trophy for a record fourth consecutive year.

History made in Mbombela

The Buccaneers became the first team to defend the top-eight title three years running, writing another chapter in a remarkable run that began under former coach Jose Riveiro. Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has now taken up that mantle, steering Pirates to glory in his first season in charge.

The final itself was a tight, goalless contest for 90 minutes before substitute Tshepang Moremi struck twice in extra time, with Tshegofatso Mabasa adding the other to settle the contest.

Rising above adversity

Pirates’ triumph came against the backdrop of a difficult build-up. 

Ouaddou and members of his backroom staff were involved in a car accident ahead of the final, raising questions about their ability to take their place on the touchline. They were later cleared to continue, and on Saturday night, his team repaid that resilience with a clinical performance when it mattered most.

The win also silenced murmurs after two recent league defeats, reaffirming the Buccaneers’ reputation as cup specialists.

Barker reflects on Stellies’ heartbreak

For Stellenbosch, the night brought the pain of back-to-back MTN8 final defeats to the same opponent. Coach Steve Barker admitted Pirates’ substitutions had swung the match.

“I think the difference is that our substitutions didn’t have the same impact as theirs did. The impact of their subs allowed them to have momentum, and obviously, we went into extra time thinking there is maybe something for us and then we concede,” Barker said.

“Obviously, when you play extra time in a cup final, you just try to go for it, which we were not able to, and unfortunately, they scored the second goal, and it became a very difficult task for us. They are a very experienced team; they have been in many cup finals.

“I thought they managed the last 15 minutes of extra time very well and that gave them the third goal, so just on the balance of play, it’s maybe not the result we deserved, but based on the performance of extra time, I think Pirates deserved to be crowned champions.”

Despite the loss, Barker praised his players for their fight and consistency.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow, two years in a row now, but if we are still making finals and we are competing the way we are, then I have to be proud of what the players have achieved. It’s always a lesson learnt when you lose like this evening [Saturday] and I think we learnt lessons again,” he said.

“We are a team that has the ability to bounce back, and we have to get out as quickly as possible over the defeat and focus on league matches and improve our position on the log.”