On Saturday, Orlando Pirates secured their third straight MTN8 title,
defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 on penalties at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
This marks the fifth time Pirates have won the competition since MTN
became the sponsors, with Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United following
behind on two titles each.
After the final, Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus refrained from comparing
the Buccaneers to his former club Sundowns, saying that the Soweto giants
are closer to where they want to be as a team. “We are not far from where
we want to be as a team.
We don’t like to compare ourselves to other teams, but we all know
Orlando Pirates is a big team. I am sure a lot of guys wrote us off before
the game, but we are sitting here today as champions. It just shows you
that with the desire and hunger that we try to show, we’ve got to give
everything,” Erasmus said.
“The last game’s results won’t guarantee you winning the next game. Every
game is a new opportunity to prove yourself and that’s what we are trying
to do as a team, to be consistent and just prove ourselves every game.”
Erasmus secured a third straight MTN8 final title, two with Pirates and
one with his former side Sundowns.
When asked about his achievement, he said: “Obviously three
finals…finals are not guaranteed. But giving your best is guaranteed and
that’s all I try to do leading up to any game. I am happy that I am part
of a winning team again and for guys who won for the first time to know
what it feels like to win things and hopefully it can motivate them to
continue working hard.”
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
— DISKI GALORE (@Diskigalore) October 7, 2023
