Relebohile Mofokeng’s extra-time strike handed Orlando Pirates a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night.
As both teams struggled to breach each other after regulation time, some extra 30 minutes were needed to decide the victor. Mofokeng then grabbed the all-important goal after 105 minutes of play to give the Buccaneers their second major trophy of the 2025/26 season.
The triumph in Polokwane will see Pirates closing 2025 on a high with two trophies and at the top of the Betway Premiership table. That also atones for the disappointment of CAF Champions League elimination.
It was the second time for the Buccaneers to win the League Cup, having also won it in 2011 on their way to completing a season treble. Silverware continues to elude Gallants who also came close to winning the Nedbank Cup in 2022.
Pirates coach Abdeslam OAuasddou handed central midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula his first start of the season. The former Morocco international opted to be defensive in the middle of the park by having Makhaula, Thalente Mbatha and Masindi Nemtajela.
Deon Hotto made way for Nkosikhona Ndaba at left-back while Tshepang Moremi started from the bench. Former Buccaneers midfielders Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Katlego Otladisa were in the Gallants line-up as striker Daniel Msendami was surprisingly a substitute.
PIRATES MORE THREATENING IN THE FIRST HALF
Pirates almost went ahead two minutes into the match when Marumo Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi could not clear a back pass, forcing Marvin Sikhosana to make a goal-line clearance off a Evidence Makgopa effort.
Ndaba then almost gifted Bahlabane ba Ntwa a goal when he was dispossessed by Otladisa inside the box but the ex-Pirates star’s low cross found no takers.
The Soweto giants were the more threatening side as Oswin Appollis drew a save from Arubi with a low shot after 16 minutes. Moments later, Nemtajela came close when he missed the target from close range, while Arubi tipped Makgopa’s headed effort just over the crossbar on the stroke of halftime.
DRAB SECOND HALF, EXTRA TIME NEEDED TO SEPARATE PIRATES & GALLANTS
The two sides were not very promising in the second half, with no clear-cut chances.
Substitute Moremi watched Eroine Agnikoi clear his stoppage time goal attempt which was the notable chance of this stanza. Pirates and Galants could not be separated in regulation time, throwing the contest into extra time. Another Pirates substitute Sipho Mbule had his grounder saved by Arubi.
Mofokeng then struck the decider which ricocheted off Sikhosana who was trying to clear the ball with his head.
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