Humble Mofokeng speaks on match-changing performance

Rising star Relebohile Mofokeng has given insight into his impactful performance during Orlando Pirates' memorable win over Stellenbosch in the Final of the MTN8.

The Buccaneers made history as the first South African club to win the MTN8 title for three consecutive seasons when they overcame Stellies at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

Lehlohonolo Mojela opened the scoring Winelands-based outfit before Saleng pounced on a rebound from a Deon Hotto free-kick to level matters in the first half.

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The match looked destined for extra time until a controversial call from match official Abongile Tom to allow Mofokeng to take a quick free kick to Mabasa who slotted the ball past Sage Stephens in added time. Mofokeng turned provider to goal scorer with a third in the last seconds of the match.

Speaking to journalists at the post-match press conference, a visibly shy Mofokeng was reluctant to take credit for the victory, instead heaping praise on his teammates.

"It's not so much they trust me to come in the second half and make things happen but I feel like when I come in, I work for the team on top of the work of the players that started the match. We all worked for the team," 

"The players that started are the ones that wore down Stellenbosch for me to come in and do the simple things.

"So yes, I only come in to work. It's not that they trust me to come in from the bench [and score] because I have been starting games and scoring and assisting. So, when you start on the bench, it doesn't mean you won't play, you just have to stay ready.

"I'm grateful to my teammates for helping me score. Tshego [Mabasa] was the one that passed to me so I could score."

The win means Pirates also become the first team to win the newly improved R10 million prize money that comes with clinching the MTN.

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