Orlando Pirates etched their name in history as they defeated Stellenbosch 3-0 in the MTN8 final played at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday night.

In defeating the men from the Winelands in the final for the second season running, the Buccaneers became the first team in the history of South African football to claim the same domestic cup title for the fourth year running. They overcame the same opponents they prevailed over at a similar stage last season to further underline their dominance in the competition.

Only four players that started the previous final were present in the starting lineup for the defending champions, and two of them orchestrated the game’s first shot at. That first attempt came from the boot of Thalente Mbatha who won an early free kick before getting on the end of Deon Hotto’s chip from the set piece and knocking his effort wide.

They remained on the ascendancy with Relebohile Mofokeng unleashing a shot from inside the box, but not finding the target as his effort was deflected away from the Stellies goal. Further attempts at goal came from the midfield pair of Mbatha and Sipho Mbule, but neither could find a way past Sage Stephens.

The game’s first quarter continued to belong to the hosts, whose goal was rarely threatened throughout the opening half hour. The visitors however had their bright moments – the best of which came just before halftime when Andre de Jong looked to shoot from inside the box, but wasn’t afforded an opportunity to get his effort away.

Goalless at the break, Pirates were determined to kick the second half similarly to how they began the first. Mbule and Sanele Barns traded shots early on before a point-blank effort from Evidence Makgopa – who timed his run superbly in connecting with a lovely diagonal ball from Sihle Nduli – was kept out by Stephens.

Having had a relatively quiet time in the first hour of the contest, Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was eventually tasked with keeping out a seemingly goalbound shot in the 70th minute when he stretched wide to his right to deny Barns.

The bulk of the action remained at the other end where Hotto directed two shots on target, with Stephens proving to be the difference between the two sides as he pulled off two saves off the Bucs left-back.

The frustration continued throughout the latter stages of the match, with the final whistle sounding while the two teams were still deadlocked.

This meant that 30 minutes would be added to the contest, with the lottery of a shootout looming should there not be a winner after extra time. However, clever subs made by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou towards the end of the second half proved to be the trump card for the Buccaneers.

This was when replacement wingers Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi combined moments after the restart, with the latter running onto a perfectly weighted pass before finishing past Stephens.

Seemingly unsatisfied with just one goal, Moremi forced a save off the Stellies shot-stopper just seconds later as his opener appeared to have spurred on the hosts.

They did not relent, and soon created some daylight between themselves and the opposition when Mofokeng linked up with another second-half sub in Tshegofatso Mabasa, who produced a trademark calm finish to make it 2-0.

With 10 minutes left, Moremi penned his name on the scoresheet for the second time. Once more, he benefitted off some brilliance from Appollis before outfoxing Stephens, who was left rooted to the spot as the ball crashed into the back of the net.

Those three goals were more than enough for the Soweto Giants, as they ensured that the coveted piece of silverware resided with them for yet another season with a resounding win.