This past Saturday night, the MTN8 final unfolded at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where the atmosphere was electric as Stellenbosch FC faced off against the Orlando Pirates.
Unfortunately for Stellenbosch, the match ended in disappointment, with the Pirates claiming a 3-1 victory and securing their third consecutive MTN8 title.
A Promising Start for Stellenbosch
The game kicked off with Stellenbosch making an impressive statement.
Lehlohonolo Mojela scored a stunning goal in the first half, giving his team an early lead.
However, just before halftime, Monnapule Saleng leveled the score for the Pirates, making it 1-1.
As the second half progressed, the Pirates began to dominate possession, creating more opportunities to score and putting the pressure on Stellenbosch.
Controversial Moments Shift the Game
With the match heading towards extra time, the Pirates found a way to strike again.
In a dramatic twist, Tshegofatso Mabasa scored in the 90th minute.
This goal, however, was marred by controversy, as it came after the Pirates executed a quick free-kick before the referee officially signaled for the restart.
In the dying moments of the match, the Pirates sealed their victory with another goal, this time from Relebohile Mofokeng, pushing the score to 3-1 and leaving Stellenbosch with little chance to respond.
Coach Steve Barker’s Frustration
After the match, Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker didn’t hold back his disappointment regarding the referee’s decisions.
He expressed his frustration over how the game concluded, particularly the pivotal moments that affected the outcome.
“I haven’t had time to process everything, but from what I saw, that was not a foul,” Barker shared during his interview on SABC 1.
“Then, as the referee is talking to the players, they take a quick free kick from a really advantageous position. It’s disappointing that a match of this quality ended in such a way.”
He further added, “In the last 10 to 15 minutes, I felt we were the better team and starting to dominate.
If we had gone to extra time, I truly believe we would have taken the trophy.
I’m incredibly proud of my players for their effort and commitment, but it’s unfortunate we couldn’t clinch the victory tonight.
We’ll take this on the chin and move forward, though it definitely leaves a bittersweet taste.”
Moving Forward
As the dust settles on this hard-fought match, the Stellenbosch FC team will regroup and refocus on their upcoming challenges.
Despite the disappointment, there’s a sense of resilience within the squad, and fans can expect them to come back stronger in their future fixtures.