Stellies ready to challenge Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 dominance

Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens insists that past results against Orlando Pirates will not influence their upcoming MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off).

Instead, he says, the Cape Winelands side sees the final as a chance to recover from a slow start to the league season. With history ready to be made by either club, coach Steve Barker and his squad are focused on taking advantage of this opportunity.

Stellies will be participating in the club’s third-ever final. Having won the Carling Knockout in 2024— their only top-flight trophy to date — they will now get another chance to lift a trophy that eluded them last season, when they lost 3-1 to the Buccaneers at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Stephens, part of the side that suffered the heartbreaking defeat, remains upbeat ahead of the rematch.

“Looking forward to the occasion, it’s special playing in another cup final,” Stephens said ahead of the game.

“The team has done very well to get our foot in the door, very excited and this week has been full of energy and looking forward to put on a good show.”

Last season, Tshegofatso Mabasa scored a controversial second goal for Pirates, assisted by Relebohile Mofokeng, sparking debate over a free-kick that was not taken from the original foul spot. Mofokeng then added the third, securing the defending champions’ third consecutive MTN8 title.

While fate has drawn the two clubs together again this season, Stephens insists Stellies are not focused on past results.

“No, what is done is done, it’s in the past. On that occasion we showed up the best that we could, we gave a good show to the supporters and people at home. We are viewing this as one single game,” he continued.

“From the start of the competition, we have always seen it as one game at a time. We are facing Orlando Pirates and it has got nothing to do with the final we played last season.

“With all due respect to Pirates, they are a difficult opponent to come up against on any given day, hence why they have got the trophies and they have won this tournament three times in a row. 

“We give them the respect, but in the same sense Stellenbosch has got its own qualities. We view it as another game and another opportunity to face a team like Pirates, and who better than us to stop their MTN8 run.”

Stellies have only collected four points from their first five league matches, suffering three losses. Despite a tough start — facing Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs — Stephens believes winning the final could provide momentum for their season.

“This match is a one-off game, it’s a cup final, and the best team on the day will win the competition. 

“In the league we haven’t had the best of starts, but if you look at the opponents we have played against, and the fact that we have played well, it has just been small margins here and there that have not gone our way. 

“We have fixed that and we are looking on the positives and using this game to slingshot ourselves in the league campaign.”