WeeklySA_AdminTeaser: Teboho Mokoena’s early strike, Ronwen Williams’ crucial penalty save and Iqraam Rayners’ late spot-kick secured a 2–0 MTN8 final victory for Mamelodi Sundowns.
By Own Correspondent
Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ reign as MTN8 champions with a commanding 2–0 victory at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, handing coach Miguel Cardoso his first domestic trophy with the Brazilians.
Teboho Mokoena put Sundowns ahead in the 11th minute, while substitute Iqraam Rayners sealed the result with a stoppage-time penalty. Between those decisive strikes, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams delivered a pivotal intervention, saving Gamphani Lungu’s penalty to protect Sundowns’ slender advantage.
For Pirates, the missed spot-kick proved a costly turning point in a final in which their promising start gave way to a frustrating struggle to break down the Tshwane side.
The Buccaneers began brightly, with Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma combining effectively in attack. Mbuthuma threatened in the ninth minute, sending a shot narrowly wide.
But Sundowns struck just two minutes later. A clever flick from Thabang Matuludi following a free-kick near the edge of the penalty area reached Mokoena, who reacted sharply to poke the ball home.
The goal gave Sundowns a platform to dictate much of the first half. Thapelo Morena and Nuno Santos helped sustain their attacking threat, while Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine kept his team within reach, including stopping a dangerous Santos effort before the interval.
WILLIAMS HOLDS THE LINE
Pirates’ best opportunity to restore parity arrived in the 59th minute when Mokoena was penalised for pulling Mbuthuma inside the box.
Lungu stepped up, but Williams reacted swiftly to his left to make the save, preserving the lead and frustrating Pirates’ hopes of changing the course of the contest.
The Sundowns goalkeeper was called upon again in the 77th minute, denying Simphiwe Masilela’s powerful side-footed effort from inside the penalty area.
Pirates continued pressing for an equaliser, enjoying spells of attacking pressure as Sundowns defended their advantage. However, the Brazilians’ backline held firm, limiting the Buccaneers’ opportunities to turn that pressure into a breakthrough.
The outcome was settled deep into stoppage time when Sundowns were awarded a penalty following a trip inside the box.
Rayners, introduced in the 82nd minute, calmly dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner in the fourth minute of added time.
His finish completed an efficient evening for Sundowns, whose early breakthrough, resilient defending and decisive goalkeeping delivered the trophy and left Pirates empty-handed.
