Orlando Pirates have etched their name into the PSL history books by becoming the first club to win the MTN8 title four times in a row. The Buccaneers secured a dominant 3–0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in extra time on Saturday evening at Mbombela Stadium.
The final was a repeat of last season’s showdown, where Pirates also came out on top with a 3–1 win over Stellenbosch. Heading into this year’s final as defending champions, Orlando Pirates were clear favourites, while Stellenbosch looked to settle the score and make history of their own.
It was an electrifying Saturday evening, with fans flocking to the stadium from all corners of the country to witness a historic clash. The game lived up to expectations, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats as both teams went toe-to-toe throughout regular time.
With no goals scored in the initial 90 minutes, the match headed into extra time. That’s when the game truly came alive, thanks to inspired substitutions by the Pirates.
The turning point came with the introduction of Oswin Appollis, who made an immediate impact by assisting Tshepang Moremi’s brace. The third goal was scored by Tshegofatso Mabasa his first of the season, sealing the victory for the Buccaneers.
Moremi’s outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
“I just felt that going into extra time, their substitutions had a really good impact. Oswin Appollis, Moremi, and Mabasa, they were able to affect the game,” admitted Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker, reflecting on how Orlando Pirates’ changes turned the game around.
In contrast, Stellenbosch’s own substitutions didn’t quite have the desired effect. Pirates dominated the wide areas and gradually took control of the game during extra time.
“As a coach, you have to read the game and make quick decisions sometimes,” said Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, acknowledging the difficulty of managing such a high-stakes match.
With this commanding win, Orlando Pirates are officially the MTN8 champions for a record-setting fourth consecutive time, rewriting South African football history in the process.