Glory Bound: Sundowns Claim MTN8 Title After 2-0 Thriller over Buccaneers

Mamelodi Sundowns have won the MTN8 for the first time in five years, following a 2-0 victory against Orlando Pirates,  who came into the game as title defenders. Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners won the game for the brave Brazilians. 

The encounter proved not to be easy as both sides played box-to-box football, pulling threats in the final third. On the 12^th minute, however, Masandawana opened the flood gates through Teboho Mokoena. A backheel pass from Thabang Matuludi inside the box found Mokoena who toe-poked the ball past the keeper to find the net from close range. 

On the 20^th minute, the visitors almost doubled their advantage when Aubrey Modiba dropped the ball in the box. Brayan Leon connected with the ball but Pirates managed to head it away from danger.

Three minutes later, again, Downs almost made it two. Mokoena’s counterattack was successful, handing the ball to Thapelo Morena. On the right flank, Morena tried to find the farpost but his effort went wide. 

Just after the half-hour mark, Leon took a shot on the edge of the box after a counterattack effort. His shot was, however, cleared away by the keeper who just got a touch to tip it out.

The closest the Buccaneers came to level matters was on the 35^th minute when the ball came from the right flank and sent towards goal. The effort was not strong enough to go past Ronwen Williams who caught it. 

A minute later, a half-volley effort from Nuno Santos almost saw him score to double the advantage for Bafana Ba Style but the keeper tipped it away to send it a few inches over the bar. 

A save from Khulumani Ndamane and Williams denied Pirates a goal that was on target on the 39^th minute. 

Although more action on both sides of the final third was witnessed, Mokoena’s early goal was what separated the two sides at the break. 

In the second stanza, the Soweto-based side looked for an early equalizer but was cleared by substitute, Divine Lunga inside the box.

On the 55^th minute, the hosts made a box entry, from the left flank but Malibongwe Khoza made a successful clearance to deny them a leveler. 

Leon almost made it two when he pressed the goalkeeper inside the box but the keeper got to the ball first, clearing it away. 

On the 59^th minute, the referee pointed to the spot in favour of the hosts. The penalty taken was, however, blocked by Williams to deny the hosts an equalising opportunity. 

On the 71^st minute, the host won the ball from a counterattack effort. They drove the ball to the other half of the field but Morena was on time to deflect the ball, denying them a goal. 

On the 75^th minute, Tashreeq Matthews delivered a ball to Leon through a cross. Leon’s effort, however, was a few inches wide. A minute later, on the opposite half, Pirates tested Williams from range but the Downs shotstopper tipped the effort that was on target. 

Substitutes, Siyanda Ndlovu and Iqraam Rayners almost made immediate impact on the 83^rd minute when Rayners made a cross to but Ndlovu’s run was not timed well, as he missed it. 

On the 88^th minute, after bypassing five Downs players, Pirates almost equlised but the shot missed the target by an inch. 

In the final stages of the match, the referee, again, pointed to the spot but this time around, in favour of Madandawana. Rayners took the penalty and found the back of the net to finally double the advantage for the visitors, concluding the game. 

How we lined up: Williams ©, Matuludi, Ndamane, Khoza, Morena, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Santos, Matthews, Leon. 

Subs: Goss, Mvala, Lunga, Zwane, Cele, Ndlovu, Mailula, van Wyk, Rayners.