Orlando Pirates picked up the first piece of silverware on offer this season as they edged a 10-man Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the MTN8 final on Saturday evening to end the club’s six-year trophy drought.
Pirates came into the game looking to end their long drought on the year anniversary of coach Josef Zinnbauer’s arrival at the club.
Celtic, on the other hand, ran on as underdogs looking to upset the favourites as Baroka did when they faced Pirates in the 2018 Telkom Knockout final.
The Sea Robbers, however, were pegged back early as Celtic got off to the perfect start taking the lead with just four minutes played. Pirates failed to clear their lines properly from a corner, with Mzwanele Mahashe getting his head on the ball to nod it down to Siphelele Luthuli, who smashed his volley in from close range.
John Maduka’s side weren’t sitting back and almost doubled their lead in the 21st minute as a quick counter-attack sent Ndumiso Mabena through on goal after a one-two with Menzi Masuku, but Ntsikelelo Nyauza made a fantastic slide interception to save the day for Pirates.
The Buccaneers had then to make an early change as Thabang Monare was forced off with an injury and Thembinkosi Lorch, who made an earlier than expected return to fitness, came on to replace him.
Zinnbauer’s side though began to grow into the game and were rewarded for their efforts as Ronald Pfumbidzai duffed his clearance, with the ball falling to Deon Hotto who dinked his shot over the onrushing goalkeeper Jackson Mabogkwane to level the scores.
After an open start to the second stanza Richard Ofori was called into action, making a fantastic save to keep the scores level. The game was then turned on its head with Pfumbudzai again at fault as he pulled down sub Lorch, who was through on goal, with the referee pointing to the spot and producing a red card.
Lorch stepped up and smashed the spot kick into the top corner as the Sea Robbers took the lead with 53 minutes gone.
Lorch then almost doubled his side’s advantage a minute later as he curled a fantastic effort towards the top corner, but it went just narrowly wide.
A then 10-man Pirates side looked happy to keep their shape and be difficult to break down, while Celtic had no choice but to throw caution to the wind moving people forward.
Pirates remained a threat on the counter while managing to snuff out any Celtic threat to goal. Despite Maduka’s team’s efforts they could not find a way to goal as the Soweto giants claimed the MTN8 crown to end their six-year trophy drought.
