Orlando Pirates claimed back-to-back MTN8 titles after defeating rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties at a sold out Moses Mabhida Stadium.
MTN8 Final
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns (Pirates won 3-1 on penalties)
Date: 07 October 2023
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Pirates brought back Monnapule Saleng, handed Miguel Timm his first start of the season and recalled Bandile Shandu, in the three changes from their CAF Champions League narrow win over Jwaneng Galaxy. The Brazilians, on the other hand, were without Lucas Ribeiro Costa due to a knee injury and his place was taken by Neo Maema.
Rulani Mokwena's charges had a big chance to go ahead within the first five minutes after Themba Zwane went clear on goal from a mistake by Pirates but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a crucial save in a one-on-one.
The game became closely contested but there were spaces behind either side's defence and just before the half-hour mark Peter Shalulile should have broken the deadlock for Sundowns after a cross by Khuliso Mudau found him unmarked at the back post but his bouncing header sailed over the crossbar.
The Buccaneers had an injury blow just after that as Nkosinathi Sibisi could not continue with a concussion issue and he was replaced by Olisa Ndah, who made his first appearance of the season.
The sides had a couple of half-chances in the latter stages, but they neither were able to capitilse as they went to the break deadlocked.
Sundowns were more dominant after the break, as they held Pirates in their own half but they could not get the right final pass.
The Soweto giants struggled to get out of their own half and Jose Riveiro reacted with a double change 18 minutes before time, as Karim Kimvuidi and Relebohile Mofokeng were introduced for fresh legs and for tactical reasons in attack.
The Brazilians kept on threatening as just after that they had a penalty appeal turned down after a ball hit Bandile Shandu's arm in the box before Shalulile had a volleyed shot unmarked in the box that sailed slightly over the top.
Marcelo Allende came close to snatching the lead for the Brazilians eight minutes before time after he had a strike unmarked in the box that was saved in the bottom corner by Chaine.
The game was on the edge in the dying minutes and Monnapule Saleng had a big chance in stoppage time to grab the winner for Pirates after going through at the near post but his shot hit the side-netting and the sides went to extra-time after they were still deadlocked at full-time.
Te game became a physical battle in the first period of extra-time, especially after both sides withdrew their remaining strikers, with Shalulile replaced by Bongani Zungu for Sundowns while Kapinga came on for Kermit Erasmus for the Buccaneers against his former side, in tactical changes.
Junior Mendieta found the back of the net for the Brazilians two minutes before time with a strike unmarked in the box but the goal was disallowed for offside in the build-up and the sides went to penalty shoot-out, where Chaine was the hero for Pirates after he saved three successive penalties before Karim Kimvuidi netted the decisive spot-kick for the Buccaneers.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Hotto, Timm, Monare, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Erasmus, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Ndah, Mofokeng, Baloni, Mako, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makgopa, Makhaula
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Coetzee, Mudau, Boutouil, Modiba, Mokowena, Allende, Maema, Zwane, Shalulile
Subs: D. Onyango, Kekana, Lebusa, Zungu, Mkhulise, Maboe, Mabena, Maseko, Mendieta
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
