On Monday, Orlando Pirates were crowned MTN8 champions for the second consecutive season after beating rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties. PSLSA looks at the five things to take away from the final.
Former Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United attacker Thuso Phala believes that the Tshwane giants could not capitalize on Pirates getting tired in the closing stages of the game, as their attacking substitutions were not effective.
“I was worried with Zwane’s sub because the more Pirates got tired, those windows opened to play through, Riva (Coetzee) could get those (passes) but Mendieta is not a player to turn in those, Maseko is not the player to play in those windows,” Phala said on TK Solutions TV YouTube Channel.
Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena was caught off guard by tactical positions that were assigned to Miguel Timm, who made his first domestic start and alongside Thabang Monare, was key in the Buccaneers stopping Sundowns from playing out from the back with a high press.
The Buccaneers goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has been the first choice shot-stopper since Richard Ofori got injured last season. Chaine was the hero after saving three successive spot-kicks in the penalty shootouts.
Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro explained what was the difference between Chaine being subbed against Galaxy and left on the field to face penalties against the Brazilians.
The Buccaneers had no shots on target after 120 minutes, although they won’t mind that statistic after they won the cup. Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’ sharpness could have been affected in the penalty shootouts, as he did not save a spot-kick.
Pirates went into the final with the bad form of three losses in their last four games in all competitions and the one win in that run ended up being a loss overall, after they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties. Despite that, the Buccaneers showed unity and fighting spirit.
Jose Riveiro explained how he handled that pressure situation. “When you get two or three results you don’t want to get, don’t have coach attacks, suddenly everything must be changed,” the Spanish coach said in a press conference.
Orlando Pirates were crowned MTN8 champions for the second consecutive season after beating rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties. The Buccaneers showed unity and fighting spirit despite their bad form in the last four games in all competitions, where they had three losses and one win that ended up being a loss overall. Former Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United attacker Thuso Phala believes that the Tshwane giants could not capitalize on Pirates getting tired in the closing stages of the game, as their attacking substitutions were not effective.
Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena was caught off guard by tactical positions that were assigned to Miguel Timm, who made his first domestic start and alongside Thabang Monare, was key in the Buccaneers stopping Sundowns from playing out from the back with a high press.
The Buccaneers goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was the hero after saving three successive spot-kicks in the penalty shootouts. Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro explained what was the difference between Chaine being subbed against Galaxy and left on the field to face penalties against the Brazilians.
Pirates went into the final with the bad form of three losses in their last four games in all competitions and the one win in that run ended up being a loss overall, after they were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by Jwaneng Galaxy on penalties. Despite that, Orlando Pirates were crowned MTN8 champions for the second consecutive season after beating rivals Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties.
ORLANDO PIRATES ARE THE MTN 8 CHAMPIONS UP THE BUCS ONCE & ALWAYS ☠️☠️
Rhulani Penalty Erasmus MTN8FINAL Chaine Sundowns rugbyworldcup2023 Mendieta OrlandoPirates Senzo Meyiwa Saleng pic.twitter.com/QmEc4ym7jQ
— NICK. (@ltsNlCK) October 7, 2023
