Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi felt a rush of emotions after the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, fulfilling his dream of finishing a cup final.
Having missed out on his previous two appearances due to injury, he described the victory as “third time lucky” after Pirates defeated Stellenbosch FC 3-1 on Saturday.
Sibisi’s first attempt came in 2022 against AmaZulu FC, where he suffered an injury just five minutes into the match.
Last season, he faced Mamelodi Sundowns, only to be forced off after 34 minutes due to another injury.
However, in this year’s final against Stellenbosch, Sibisi played the full match, a significant milestone for the former Golden Arrows player.
Overwhelmed with emotion after the final whistle, Sibisi spoke candidly at the post-match press conference.
“This final means a lot to me; it’s true when they say the third time is lucky,” he said, visibly moved.
“I woke up today and prayed to play and finish the game.”
He expressed gratitude to his teammates and staff for their support. “I feel very blessed that I was able to play and finish the game.
“Thank you to everyone for working together and winning the trophy.”
His journey serves as a testament to perseverance and the joy of finally achieving one’s goals.