By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Orlando Pirates continued with the MTN 8 dominance after beating Stellenbosch FC 3-0 at the Mbombela stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday evening.
Pirates became the first team to successfully defend the trophy for a third straight year, with the Stellies coming up just short in back-to-back seasons.
Pirates created the better chances in the first half and they threatened as early as the fifth minute when Thalente Mbatha fired wide after latching onto Deon Hotto’s chip.
Stage Stephens was called into action for the first time on 14 minutes as he stood firm to block Mbatha’s first-time volley from Sihle Nduli’s floated cross towards the back post.
The Soweto giants maintained the pressure and Sipho Mbule forced Stephens to turn his shot behind for a corner on 23 minutes before Relebohile Mofokeng tested the Maroons goalkeeper twice in the space of seven minutes.
However, the score remained unchanged at the break, but Pirates were soon on the attack after the restart as Stephens made a comfortable save from Mbule’s deflected shot in the 49th minute.
Stellies almost broke the deadlock a minute later though, when Sanele Barns flashed an effort across the face of goal from a tight angle, while back up the other end Stephens pulled off a save at point-blank range to deny Evidence Makgopa.
The Buccaneers pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Hotto drawing another save out of Stephens on 82 minutes before Tshepang Moremi directed a header wide from Oswin Appollis’ cross six minutes from time.
There would be no breakthrough in regulation time, but Pirates hit the front just two minutes into extra time following a bit of magic from Appollis.
The former Polokwane City star delivered a delightful pass to Moremi from the right and the substitute stabbed the ball past Stephens from eight yards out.
Stephens had to be at his best to prevent Moremi from scoring again on 99 minutes, but Tshegofatso Mabasa got the better of him just four minutes later to put Bucs 2-0 up.
It was game over on 110 minutes as Moremi found the back of the net once more to seal the victory, with Appollis racking up another assist.