Orlando Pirates won their 13th MTN8 title on Saturday to close in on archrivals Kaizer Chiefs in the competition’s history.
MTN8 final match recap; Mojela’s screamer is a mere footnote
Lehlohonolo Mojela scored a stunner in the 12th minute to put a cat among the pigeons for Stellenbosch, but Pirates hit back through big-game player Monnapule Saleng on 43 minutes. Super-sub Tshegofatso Mabasa put Pirates in front on 91 minutes amid huge controversy after a free kick was taken a few yards ahead of where the foul took place. Referee Abongile Tom allowed the goal. Relebohile Mofokeng put the icing on the cake in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. 3-1 to Pirates is how it ended. That’s R10 million prize money in the bank for the Buccaneers and another season of bragging rights over Kaizer Chiefs. The Buccaneers have scooped 13 MTN8 titles, closing in on Chiefs’ overall record of 15.
Calls for VAR in South African football
Renowned local agent Mike Makaab wasn’t hiding his disgust at Abongile Tom’s decision to allow Tshegofatso Mabasa’s 91st-minute strike in the final. Pirates fans won’t care much as nothing can be changed now. Also, this isn’t even a decision that would usually need VAR intervention; referee Tom should have been close enough to the action to adjudge that the free-kick needed to be retaken from the correct spot. Yet here we are.
Kaizer Chiefs must wait 20 days
Amakhosi, meanwhile, have three weeks to wait until their next Betway Premiership fixture. They’ve started this campaign in decent fashion, with two wins from three, and a recent defeat to Sundowns. Their goal, of course, will be to compete for next season’s MTN8 at a minimum. Here are their next few fixtures:
- SuperSport United – Saturday, October 26, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 17:30
- Magesi FC – Wednesday, October 30, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 19:30
- Royal AM – Sunday, November 9 – FNB Stadium, 17:30
Reasons for optimism and nine points from the next three
This season, Royal AM’s four matches have produced a TOTAL of two goals, and all four have been draws. The last three have all ended 0-0. Coach John Maduka won’t see it that way though, he’ll likely be delighted at the frequency of clean sheets that goalkeeper Zakahle Xolani Ngcobo is collecting. Richards Bay, Magesi, SuperSport United and TS Galaxy are the four other sides with only a single goal after four rounds of Betway Prem action. Chiefs face SuperSport, Magesi and Royal AM in their next three outings. They’ll be expected to beat all three.
Will Chiefs get nine points from their next three league fixtures?
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