Following a tense penalty shootout victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that winning the MTN8 final is the only option.
The Mighty Buccaneers secured their spot in the final after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the second leg, which mirrored the first leg’s score line, forcing the match to go to penalties.
Read: Orlando Pirates Edge Sundowns in Shootout to Reach Final
In the second leg at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, Pirates initially fell behind to a 17th-minute goal from Iqraam Rayners.
Nevertheless, a crucial 73rd-minute strike from Kamogelo Sebelebele brought the Sea Robbers level and took the game into extra time. With no goals in the additional period, the fate of the tie was decided from the spot.
It was Pirates’ goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, who emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende. Tshegofatso Mabasa then stepped up to score the winning spot-kick, sending the Buccaneers to their fourth consecutive MTN8 final.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the match, Ouaddou dismissed any notion of luck in their win. “Now we are going to the final we have to win it,” he stated. “A lot of people say it is luck. It is not luck. You have to work, we prepared for two or three weeks, shooting penalties. It is part of the job.”
He added, “If you go to the final and don’t win, it is nothing.”
Ouaddou also praised both Sebelebele, who has been in fine form, and goalkeeper Chaine for their performances.
“It’s fantastic, he has been doing well… he came to Orlando Pirates to lift his level and to play the high-level football and he is showing it,” the Bucs boss said.
He added, “But not only him, I’m happy with all my players especially like I told I have to congratulate Sipho Chaine today.
“He was fantastic, but all of them even the players who were on the bench they were fantastic, the players who were on the stands, I respect them a lot and they gave a lot for the club so we have quite interesting players.”
Pirates are set to face Stellenbosch FC in the final on September 13, 2025. This will be a rematch of last year’s final, where the Buccaneers defeated Stellies 3-1 to win their third straight MTN8 title.
A win this year would not only secure a fourth consecutive title but would also be the club’s 14th MTN8 trophy, solidifying their dominance in the competition.