By Michael Madyira
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro silenced his critics after guiding the Buccaneers to a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, securing a historic three-peat in the tournament.
Riveiro faced backlash for benching key players Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng, who had been standout performers throughout the season. However, the two proved to be the heroes with stoppage-time goals that sealed the victory after Pirates came from behind to win.
Mabasa was subbed in for forward Evidence Makgopa in the 66th minute and gave Pirates the lead after Monnapule Saleng equalized following an early goal by Stellenbosch’s Lehlohonolo Mojela. Mofokeng, who came on in the 62nd minute for captain Innocent Maela, scored the third goal to secure the win.
“But from the beginning, I did not have a feeling for a minute that we were not going to make it,” Riveiro said after the match. “It happened in the last minutes of the game, a crazy moment as we have smart players upfront, and they managed to create a goal out of nowhere.”
Overcome with emotion after the final whistle, Riveiro was seen in tears as Mabasa and Mofokeng each finished the MTN8 tournament with two goals in four games.
Mabasa, who made a statement to Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos with his crucial goal, shared what Riveiro told him before coming onto the pitch: “The message from the coach was just plain and simple. You have been in this position before, a couple of months back in the Nedbank Cup final and it managed to happen again this season in the MTN8 final.
“He just told the three of us; myself, Rele [Mofokeng] and KB [Kabelo Dlamini] that we should go out there and just win this game for the team. That’s exactly what we did.”
Since joining Pirates in July 2022, Riveiro has led the team to five trophy wins.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates players on the podium celebrating their MTN8 triumph.
Source: Orlando Pirates
