Orlando Pirates emerged victorious in the MTN8 on Saturday after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, breaking the jinx against a Brazilian side that had given them hard times in recent matches.
The Buccaneers’ goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine saved three penalties to ensure the Pirates won back-to-back titles in the tournament.
After an intense 120 minutes of football ended in a goalless draw, the fate of the prestigious title was determined by a gripping penalty shootout. In the end, it was the Orlando Pirates who held their nerve, winning 3-1 on penalties to lift the coveted trophy.
The Brazilians will reflect not only on their inability to score from the spot in the shootout but also on the many scoring opportunities they spurred through two-plus hours of football.
The match, held at a packed Mabhida Stadium, saw both teams showcase their defensive resilience and tactical prowess throughout regulation time. While Mamelodi Sundowns created several scoring opportunities, they were met with a resolute Orlando Pirates defence that stood tall and denied any breakthrough.
They created the first clear chance of the match, with Peter Shalulile capitalising on a defensive error before teeing up Themba Zwane in the fifth minute, but Pirates goalkeeper Chaine made an excellent one-one-one save.
On 28 minutes, the Tshwane team created another great opportunity when Khuliso Mudau went free down the right of the penalty area and provided a perfect cross for the unmarked Shalulile at the far post, but the Namibian had an uncharacteristic miss as he headed the ball down into the ground and over the target.
Just past the half-hour mark, the Pirates suffered an injury blow when a distraught Nkosinathi Sibisi was forced off with a head injury, having earlier had a sickening mid-air collision with Mothobi Mvala – and Olisa Ndah came off the bench to take his place.
The final chance in regulation time went the way of Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng, but he fired a shot into the side netting to see the game head to an extra 30 minutes.
As the clock ticked away in the added period, fatigue started to set in for the players. Despite their exhaustion, both teams fought tooth and nail for a breakthrough, but the goals remained elusive until the match had to be decided through the heart-pounding drama of a penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine became the hero for Pirates as he dominated in the shootout with three exceptional saves
Delirious celebrations erupted from the Orlando Pirates camp as they were crowned champions of the MTN8 tournament for the 12th time.
