Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates to end domestic cup wait

Mamelodi Sundowns ended a five-year wait for domestic cup silverware by beating Orlando Pirates 2-0 in a fiercely contested MTN8 final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the first half before Iqraam Rayners converted a late penalty to secure Sundowns’ first major domestic cup triumph since 2022.

The result also gives Sundowns their first MTN8 title since 2021 and denies Pirates the chance to win the competition for a fifth consecutive season. It would have been the second MTN8 success for Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was central to the victory, making several important saves in the closing stages and stopping Lungu’s second-half penalty. Tashreeq Matthews was named man of the match.

The match was played at a high tempo, with neither side appearing willing to settle into the cautious approach often associated with cup finals. Tempers briefly flared shortly before half-time when Nuno Santos roughed up Yanela Mbuthuma.

Pirates began more positively, forcing Sundowns into errors in their own half. However, despite enjoying the better of the opening five minutes, the Buccaneers failed to produce a shot on target.

Sipho Chaine, Deon Hotto, Thalente Mbatha and Tshepang Moremi brought experience of such occasions, while Mbatha and Thapelo Mokobodi helped Pirates establish control in midfield. Their work created opportunities for Kamogelo Sebelebele, Moremi and Lungu to threaten.

Sundowns initially struggled to settle, with Teboho Mokoena and Marcello Allende taking time to influence the game. That left Malibongwe Khoza, Khulumane Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi and Aubrey Modiba under pressure.

But Sundowns gradually found their rhythm as Santos saw more of the ball and began to slow the contest through his playmaking. They took the lead after 11 minutes when Pirates failed to deal with a dipping cross into the area.

Matuludi collected the loose ball and laid it into Mokoena’s path, allowing the midfielder to beat Chaine. Mokoena had been a doubt after suffering an injury while with Bafana Bafana.

The goal shifted momentum towards Sundowns. Mokoena and Allende began dictating play, while Matuludi and Thapelo Morena pushed forward on the right. Modiba’s advancing and inward movements also caused problems for Sebelebele.

Pirates nearly equalised after 28 minutes when Seema delivered for Sibisi, who could not make contact. Chaine then produced two excellent saves in quick succession to deny Brayan Leon and Santos.

Sebelebele was taken off on a stretcher just before half-time and was replaced by Oswin Appollis. At the interval, Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso brought on Divine Lunga for Modiba, with further substitutions later adding fresh legs.

Pirates were awarded a penalty after 60 minutes when referee Abongile Tom judged Mokoena to have fouled Mbuthuma. The decision appeared harsh, but Williams dived the correct way to push Lungu’s effort onto the post and preserve Sundowns’ lead.

Tom awarded another penalty late on after Siyanda Ndlovu went down in the area. Rayners converted to complete the victory and give Cardoso the league, Champions League and MTN8 during his time in charge.

Sundowns’ previous domestic cup celebration came in May 2022, when they beat Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup final to complete a domestic treble. Their supporters had continued to demand cup success despite the club’s achievements in the league and Champions League.