Four things we learned from the MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates defended their MTN8 crown after a 3-1 win on penalties against old rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

Both teams couldn’t be separated, even after extra time, as the game ended in a goalless draw.

The lottery of penalty shoot-out ensued and the Buccaneers goalkeeper Sipho Chaine defied all odds to save three spot-kicks in front of a packed stadium in Durban.

Here are four things we learned from the MTN8 final:

1. The Chaine factor

Chaine is not just an average goalkeeper and deserves a lot of credit for his heroics in the final. He produced a fine save to deny Themba Zwane what would have been the opening goal of the encounter in the opening five minutes.

The 26-year-old hadn’t yet endeared himself to the Bucs faithful before the final with some questioning his ability to be their number one in between the sticks. Denying the experienced Bongani Zungu, Junior Mendieta and reigning PSL Footballer of the Season Teboho Mokoena from the penalty spot when the stakes were so high is not an easy task.

Many expected Ronwen Williams to upstage him when it came to penalties but it was the less-fancied Chaine who etched his name into the hearts of those dressed in black and white. His star can only rise from here and Pirates have a reliable shot-stopper who is not faced by the big occasion. Hugo Broos is going to find it difficult to leave him out of his Bafana squad if he keeps on delivering for the Soweto giants.

2. Orlando Pirates are not scared of Mamelodi Sundowns

In an era where most DStv Premiership teams are scared of going toe-to-toe with The Brazilians, Pirates are the complete opposite. Even in the recent narrow 1-0 loss to Sundowns in the league, Jose Riveiro’s charges showed great fighting spirit.

They also upset the form book last season when they dumped Sundowns out of the MTN8 in the semifinal. 

The only thing The Ghosts need is consistency in the league if they are to close the gap between themselves and the Tshwane-based team who are threatening to once again run away with the championship.

3. Jose Riveiro is a cup specialist

Jose Riveiro came to South Africa as an unknown commodity. He was written off and labelled a ‘plumber’ on social media and to a large extent in some sections of the media. Hardly two seasons into his tenure at Pirates, the Spaniard continues to serve humble pie to his detractors. He is gaining a reputation as a cup specialist in the domestic league.

He led the Buccaneers to a cup double in the last campaign, claiming the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup. The next competition on offer is the Carling Knockout Cup, which replaces the Telkom Knockout. Riveiro will further enhance his reputation if he can once again steer the ship to the promised land in the new cup competition.

4. Never write Pirates off

Very few gave the Sea Robbers a chance of coming back from the coastal province with the lucrative R8 million trophy. They came into the game as underdogs after crashing out of the CAF Champion League at the hands of unfancied Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.

Sundowns were expected to brush aside the 1995 champions league winners. However, they came up against a stubborn side that was determined to retain their title and not disappoint their legion of fans, that outnumbered the Yellow Nation in the stands.