Orlando Pirates defeated Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to win the MTN8.
Pirates came from a goal down to beat Celtic 2-1 and win the competition for the first time since 2011.
Celtic began the game on the front foot and saw their early pressure rewarded with a goal by through Siphelele Luthuli in just the third minute. Luthuli acrobatically volleyed a knockdown by Mzwanele Mahashe from a corner to give Celtic a shock lead.
However, Pirates, who came into the game as favourites, leveled the tie just after the half hour mark after slack defending allowed Deon Hotto to collect a loose ball in the penalty area and fire past goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane.
The swung in favour of Pirates five minutes into the second half when Celtic defender Ronald Pfumbidzai was sent off for a foul on Thembinkosi Lorch who was bearing down on goal.
Lorch, himself, took the spot-kick and sent Mabokgwane the wrong way to edge Pirates ahead with his second goal of the competition. That goal proved to be the winner as the 10 men of Celtic subsequently failed to break their opponents again.
It was Pirates 10th success in the competition and gives the club a boost early on in the season.
Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer praised his side’s resilience after the setback of conceding so early in the game.
“I think it is not so easy when you concede in the second minute or first minute but we came back, played a good half, (and) had a lot of chances which we could score,” Zinnbauer said.
“We are happy we have a title. It is important for us, for the club for the supporters; they are so hungry for this title.”
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