Orlando Pirates feast on Stellenbosch as MTN8 history is made in Mbombela
Three extra-time goals at Mbombela Stadium saw Orlando Pirates officially become the first club to win the MTN8 four times in a row, leaving them just one title behind Kaizer Chiefs in the all-time tally.
Played in front of a sold-out crowd at Mbombela Stadium, the 2025 MTN8 final delivered history for Orlando Pirates and heartbreak for Stellenbosch.
Heading into the final, the Pirates were in search of a record-breaking fourth consecutive MTN8 title and their 14th overall, while Stellenbosch sought their first-ever MTN8 trophy.
Kick-off was at 18:00, and from the onset Pirates were the better side throughout the first half.
However, despite enjoying the bulk of the possession and scoring opportunities they weren’t able to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes and the score was 0-0 at the break.
The final slowed significantly in the second period as both sides battled for supremacy and to get their hands on the MTN8 trophy and a slice of history.
With little in the way of significant chances in the second half, the game crawled to a 0-0 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes.
Buoyed on by a Mbombela Stadium crowd that may as well have been pulled straight from Orlando Stadium, Pirates were the first to find luck in the first half of extra time when Tshepang Moremi fired home from close range to put them ahead.
This saw momentum sway all the way in the Buccaneers’ favour and 11 minutes later Tshegofatso Mabasa added his name to the score sheet as Pirates took a 2-0 lead.
This was how things ended after the first half of extra time though, and an already loud Mbombela Stadium crowd was now lifting the roof.
It didn’t take long in the second half of extra time for Pirates to put the final nail in Stellenbosch’s coffin, with Moremi adding his second and Pirates’ third in the 110th minute.
Late flurries and opportunities came Stellenbosch’s way in the last 10 minutes of the game, but they were unable to find a way through Pirates’ defence and the tally ended 3-0 in the Buccaneers’ favour.
Orlando Pirates have now won four successive MTN8 trophies, and are the first-ever club to do so.
They also now have 14 MTN8 trophies to their name and are only one trophy behind Kaizer Chiefs’ total tally of 15.
@lowvelder Mbombela Stadium has come alive with a vibrant atmosphere as spectators slowly fill up the seats ahead of the sold-out MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC. Although kick-off is only at 18:00, fans are already making their presence felt while enjoying the pre-match entertainment. #mtn #pirates #soccertiktok⚽️ #mtn8 #mbombelastadium > Video: Blake Linder
