Despite missing a number of key players, Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro was full of praise to his charges for overcoming challenges as they rallied from behind to win their third successive MTN8 title.
One notable absentee from Saturday’s final was Olisa Ndah who failed a late fitness test while Deano van Rooyen was unavailable to face his former side due to being cup tied.
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Stellenbosch FC had taken a 14th minute lead through Lehlohonolo Mojela’s acrobatic strike before Monnapule Saleng pulled matters level for the Buccaneers on the stroke of half-time. Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng then put matters beyond bed with late strikes as Pirates ran out 3-1 victors to complete a three peat.
Riveiro was visibly caught in tears after the final whistle, and heaped majority of the praise to his troops for digging deep to come away with yet another trophy.
“I think all the compliments today should go to the guys [players],” Riveiro said after the final at Moses Mabhida.
“They managed to play a really good final in my opinion even though we were chasing the one goal early.
“I didn’t have the feeling anytime that we cannot make it today. We managed to overcome every problem that we were having during the game with injuries.
“We went a little bit short of numbers today in some certain positions.
“Thank you to the guys. Thank you to the ones that couldn’t make it today. To the 20, the ones who are in Jo’burg, the ones that are here in the stands. To the technical team. To the fans of course.
“It’s amazing to play in this place one more time too. I’m in a winning team obviously.”
The Spanish was not short of inspiration to his team’s planning to overcome a very good Stellies side.
“In every game not just in the finals,” he added.
“You have to be better than the opponents in the most of them if you want to be the winning team. Finals are something excptional.
“Strategy more than planning plays an important role. It’s only possible to change the nature of the game if you have the quality, and we have it.”