- Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday
- Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners scored for Sundowns, while Pirates missed a penalty in the 60th minute
- A football analyst spoke exclusively to Briefly News and pointed to one decision-maker as the reason Pirates fell short
Mamelodi Sundowns claimed the MTN8 title on Saturday, defeating Orlando Pirates 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium to deny the Buccaneers a fifth consecutive triumph in the competition.
Teboho Mokoena gave Sundowns an early advantage with a goal in the 11th minute. Pirates had an opportunity to level matters in the 60th minute, but Ghampani Lungu squandered a penalty. Iqraam Rayners then sealed the result with a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+7th minute to confirm Sundowns as champions.
**Ouaddou's Selection Decisions Under Scrutiny**
In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, football analyst Themba Modise laid responsibility for the defeat squarely at the feet of Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, citing questionable team selection ahead of the final.
"It was a good game from both clubs, but Sundowns got the edge because they were more clinical, and their coach didn't gamble in his selection in the line-up," Modise said.
"For Orlando Pirates, the whole blame goes to Abdeslam Ouaddou, why I said that is because he took a lot of risk in his starting line up."
Modise was particularly critical of two selection calls. Leaving Oswin Appollis out of the starting eleven drew sharp rebuke, while the decision to field Mbatha, who had only recently returned from injury, was also questioned.
"Not starting Oswin Appollis was a crime in the first place, and throwing in Mbatha, who just came back from injury, wasn't also right," the analyst said.
Sundowns Dominated the Midfield Battle
Modise credited Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso with winning the tactical battle in the middle of the park, highlighting the collective performance of the champions' engine room.
"Miguel Cardoso won the midfield battle as Mokoena, Allende, and Nuno Santos were extremely good," he said.
The victory reinforces Sundowns' dominance in South African cup football and marks a significant setback for Pirates, who had hoped to extend their remarkable run in the MTN8.
Source: Briefly News