A historic fourth consecutive MTN8 title for Orlando Pirates came at the expense of a valiant but ultimately outclassed Stellenbosch FC.
Despite a strong showing in the first 90 minutes, Stellies fell apart in extra time, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.
For Stellenbosch, this was their third straight cup final in three seasons, a remarkable achievement that underscores their rise in South African football.
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They came into the match looking for revenge after a controversial defeat to the Buccaneers in last year’s MTN8 final.
Coach Steve Barker’s side made several changes to their line-up, bringing in Thato Khiba, Ibraheem Jabaar, and Khomotjo Lekoloane to freshen things up.
The match itself was a tense, tactical battle with both teams canceling each other out. After 90 minutes of goalless action, the game was forced into extra time.
That being said, the deadlock was broken just two minutes into the extra period. Pirates’ substitute Tshepang Moremi, left unmarked, poked home a cross from Appollis. The ball squirmed under the feet of Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens, setting off a collapse.
The game was effectively over when another Pirates substitute, Mabasa, doubled the lead in the 103rd minute, slotting a cutback from Moremi past Stephens. Mabasa’s goal was a cruel echo of last season’s final, where he also scored against the same opponents.
Moremi sealed the victory for Pirates in the 110th minute, pouncing on a poor pass from Stellenbosch’s Henri Stanic to score his second goal of the night and secure the trophy.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the defeat, Coach Barker was gracious in victory, first congratulating Pirates. “To win a trophy four years in a row is not easy so well done to them,” he said.
“I thought during open play, the first 90 minutes there was no real better team than in the game, we could’ve maybe stolen it, they could’ve maybe got something but I thought it was an even match.
“I thought going into extra-time, we still looked like a team capable of going on and maybe winning but unfortunately they just sort of outclassed us, outplayed us in extra-time and once you concede the first goal, you obviously try to get back into it, you obviously get caught short in-behind and they got the second goal than it obviously became a very difficult task and they managed the rest of the game very well.”
He was particularly disappointed with his team’s second-half performance, where he felt they were poised to take control. “I thought there was a period in the second half where we looked like we were taking the ascendancy and when we were taking the ascendancy I thought we would maybe go for it,” he said.
With little time to dwell on the loss, Barker and his team will now have to shift their focus to their upcoming Betway Premiership match against AmaZulu in KwaZulu-Natal. Kick off at the Princess Magogo Stadium is set for 19h30 on Wedenesday, 17 September 2025.