Following Orlando Pirates’ emphatic 3–0 win over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final, midfielder Sipho Mbule revealed that the team’s rigorous pre-season training laid the foundation for their dominance in extra-time.
With the score locked at 0–0 after 90 minutes at Mbombela Stadium, it was Tshepang Moremi who sparked the breakthrough just two minutes into extra-time.
Read: Abdeslam Ouaddou Highlights Key Factor in Triumph Over Stellenbosch
Tshegofatso Mabasa then added a second goal with 103 minutes played, before Moremi wrapped up the game with his second goal after 110 minutes.
Pirates spent part of their pre-season in Spain where they were put through their paces with some strong friendly matches.
Despite starting the Betway Premiership season with two defeats, Pirates were unbeaten in five in all competitions heading into Saturday’s game and looked the stronger of the two teams the longer the game progressed.
Speaking after the match, Mbule said on SuperSport: “I think the past two weeks haven’t been easy, but I think it’s the work rate that we’ve been doing in pre-season.
“I think you can see it, even today in extra-time, everyone is fit and it’s because of the work we’ve done in Spain, and the work also now when we came back.”
Mbule started for Bucs in the absence of Patrick Maswanganyi and played for an hour before making way for Oswin Appollis.
“Mbule as a 10, Mbule as an eight, Masterchef as a six, I think where ever I’m at I must do the job, I must cook, I don’t have a choice,” the player added when asked about his role in the team.
Pirates are next in action in the first preliminary round of the Champions League against Lioli FC on Saturday.