Kermit Erasmus insists Orlando Pirates “deserved to be champions” after claiming the MTN8 title ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Following a goalless draw with the runaway DStv Premiership leaders, the Buccaneers claimed a 3-1 penalty shootout victory.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and only Mothobi Mvala was able to score from the spot for the Brazilians as Bucs’ penalties were converted by Deon Hotto, Lesedi Kapinga and Karim Kimvuidi.
Speaking after the match, a delighted Erasmus told SuperSport: “We’re not far off where we want to be as a team and we don’t compare ourselves to other teams but we all know that Orlando Pirates is a big team.
“I’m sure a lot of you guys wrote us off before the game but we’re sitting here as champions. So it shows that with the desire and hunger that we showed to try to win the game, you have to give everything in every game you play. Every game is a new opportunity to prove yourself and that’s what we try to do as a team, to be more consistent and improve.”
This is Pirates’ third trophy in two season’s after they lifted last season’s MTN8 and Nedbank Cup.
Erasmus added: “Yes, we weren’t that fluid in our … play but in some moments, we had good attacking plays. I think with a little bit of composure, we could have created better chances but finals are always a different ball game. It’s about who wants it more and I think we showed that today.
“Overall, it was a great performance from our team and I think we deserved to win today. We deserved to be champions and we showed it in every aspect of the game.”