The Buccaneers dominated from the onset, with Mbule and Relebohile Mofokeng seeing a lot of the ball in the opening 15 minutes, but the Stellenbosch defenders thwarted every attempt in the 18-yard area.
Moremi shines as Pirates make MTN 8 history
By Benjamin Nyirenda
Result: Orlando Pirates 3-0 Stellenbosch FC
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
On Saturday, Orlando Pirates became the first team in PSL history to win the MTN 8 trophy four times consecutively, thanks to two goals and an assist from Tshepang Moremi, who helped Pirates defeat Stellenbosch FC 3-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Moremi, who came in as a second-half substitute, scored two goals in the extra time while creating another goal for Tshegofatso Mabasa.
The Buccaneers dominated from the onset, with Mbule and Relebohile Mofokeng seeing a lot of the ball in the opening 15 minutes, but the Stellenbosch defenders thwarted every attempt in the 18-yard area.
Stellenbosch, meanwhile, had a couple of good entries into the opposition half as Mojela and Sanele Barns managed to link up in the final third; however, they could not trouble Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Sage Stephens was kept busy at the other end, as the Stellenbosch goalkeeper was called upon to keep out powerful long-range strikes from Thalenthe Mbatha and Mbule as Pirates struggled to carve out clear-cut openings in the box.
The opening goal should have arrived seven minutes after the break when Sihle Nduli did well to pick out Makgopa in the box, however, the striker failed to beat Stephens from point-blank range.
Both sides opted for changes after the hour mark as Stellenbosch threw on Ashley Cupido and Ibraheem Jabar for Mojela and Genino Palace, while Pirates withdrew Mbule for Oswin Appollis.
READ MORE: Pirates secure fourth MTN 8 Final spot in a row
Chaine was finally called into action with 20 minutes left on the clock as the Buccaneers’ shot-stopper produced a fine save to keep out Barns’ powerful strike, before he showed good reflexes to thwart a dangerous cross from Omega Mdaka.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the latter stages, with Mabasa squandering a big chance in the final two minutes by heading over the crossbar from close range, which ultimately sent the game to extra time.
Pirates eventually took the lead as Appollis’ superb cross found the run of Tshepang Moremi, who sent a first-time finish through the legs of Stephens two minutes into the extra-time period.
The lead was doubled in the 112th minute when some neat passing ended with Mofokeng playing in Moremi, who unselfishly teed up Mabasa to fire Stephens at the near post.
The Soweto giants sealed the win with ten minutes left on the clock when Appollis turned provider once again and threaded a neat pass to Moremi, who sent a first-time finish beyond Stephens to seal Ouaddou’s first trophy at Pirates.
Here’s how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Hotto, Lebitso, Nduli, Mbatha, Mbule, Sebelebele, Mofokong, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Ndaba, Nemtajela, Dansin, Mariko, Appollis, Moremi, Mabasa
Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Moloisane, Stanic, Kazie, Mdaka, Mthiyane, Palace, De Jong, Titus, Barns, Mojela
Subs: Masuluke, Nkwali, Phili, Mokobodi, Butsaka, Cupido, Jabaar, Khiba, Nku
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