By Michael Madyira
Substitutes Lehlohonolo Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng scored in stoppage time to hand Orlando Pirates an historic 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
As the match seemed headed for a regulation deadlock, Mabasa struck before Mofokeng assured Pirates victory in added time.
Lehlohonolo Mojela had sparked the evening with a 12th minute strike before Monnapule Saleng pulled back for Pirates with two minutes to half-time.
It was an historic victory for Pirates and coach Jose Riveiro as they sealed a third straight MTN8 title, a first in the history this competition.
Stellenbosch had to bow down to the Buccaneers on an evening where they lost an opportunity to win a second major trophy in top flight football.
Pirates had cup-tied former Stellenbosch captain Deano van Rooyen replaced by Thabiso Monyane at right-back.
Centre-back Olisa Ndah could not recover from injury and that saw Nkosinathi Sibisi coming in for him while Innocent Maela occupied the left-back position and Deon Hotto was pushed forward.
Coach Jose Riveiro made a bizarre pick of starting Evidence Makgopa ahead of Tshegofatso Mabasa in a match where Relebohile Mofokeng was surprisingly on the bench as Monnapule Saleng returned from injury.
Nigerian forward Ibraheem Jabaar returned to the Stellenbosch line-up together with goalkeeper and captain Sage Stephens who missed last weekend’s Premier Soccer League match against Polokwane City.
The contest came to life when Mojela had the first say with a bicycle kick which beat Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine off an Andre de Jong flick for his second goal in four MTN8 matches.
Stellies almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Jabaar drew a full-stretch dive from Sipho Chaine in goal for Pirates.
Pirates then hit back through Saleng who followed up Stephens’ punch of a Hotto free-kick.
With 20 minutes to go, Mofokeng had Stephens blocking his effort in a face-to-face situation.
As the match seemed headed for extra time, Mabasa struck before Mofokeng signed off the win.
Pictured above: Stellenbosch FC forward Lehlohonolo Mojela wheels away from his Pirates markers
Source: Stellenbosch FC
