Orlando Pirates were crowned MTN8 champions for the third consecutive year after fighting back to secure a 3-1 victory over Stellenbosch FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Ismael Toure, a defender for Stellenbosch who was born in the Ivory Coast, was called for a foul just as the match was about to go into stoppage time, with the teams drawing 1-1.

As the referee and a few Stellenbosch players deliberated about the call, the ball moved forward almost six meters, giving Pirates a short free kick.

Play was waved on by the referee, and with a throng of 55,000 spectators watching, Mabasa gave the Pirates the lead when he hammered the ball into the net from close range.

“All free kicks are taken from the place where the offence occurred,” according to the pertinent football law.

Six minutes into extra time, Relebohile Mofokeng scored a third goal to seal the victory, and Pirates won the 10 million rand ($570,000/€520,000) winners-take-all award.

Two minutes prior to halftime, Monnapule Saleng wiped out the lead that Lehlohonolo Mojela had handed Stellenbosch in the 12th minute.

The teams that finished in the top eight after the previous league season compete in the Cup, an early-season knockout tournament.

The Champions League qualifiers Pirates and the Confederation Cup finalists Stellenbosch will now focus on the CAF group drawings, which take place in Cairo on Monday.