Orlando Pirates are R10 million richer. The Buccaneers won the MTN8 trophy for the fourth consecutive time.
The Buccaneers needed extra time to defeat Stellenbosch F.C. 3-0 in the final match, which took place at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday evening.
Substitute Tshepang Moremi scored a brace in extra time, with Tshegofatso Mabasa scoring another goal.
The MTN8 defending Champions were looking to make history by winning the local season’s opening trophy for the fourth time in a row.
This was the repeat of last season’s final, with Pirates coming from behind to beat Stellenbosch F.C. 3-1 at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. But Stellies were determined to win their second silverware since gaining promotion to the South African top-flight league in 2019.
The Cape Winelands outfit were crowned champions of the Carling Knockout Trophy two seasons ago.
The Buccaneers were the first to threaten to score in the opening minutes of the match.
Midfielder Thalente Mbatha tested keeper Sage Stevens from long range.
Bucs kept on probing in search of an opening goal. Stephens was tested again from range in the 26th minute.
Evidence Makgopa failed to connect with a pass from Kamogela Sebelebele ten minutes before half-time.
Stellies also had opportunities to break the deadlock, but it was still goalless at the break. Stephens denied Makgopa from close range seven minutes into the second half.
Both sides continued to create more bscoring opportunities but failed to score. Stellies keeper Stephens produced another save nine minutes before the end of regulation time.
There were no goals scored after ninety minutes and the game went into extra time.
Second-half substitute Tshepang Moremi broke the deadlock at the beginning of extra time to give Bucs the much-needed goal.
Another substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa made it 2-nil towards the end of the first half of extra-time.
Moremi put the final nail in the coffin to make it 3-nil.
