Own goals help Pirates become champions after 14 years

Orlando Pirates beat Orbit College 2-0 on Saturday through two own goals to win the South African Premiership, and end the eight-season dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Topping the 16-club table, one point ahead of Sundowns, gave the Buccaneers from Soweto a first title since 2012.

Orbit goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo punched a corner into his net in first-half added time and Ndumiso Ngiba lobbed the ball over the shot-stopper on 49 minutes when attempting to clear under pressure.

Becoming champions after finishing runners-up to Sundowns in five of the last eight league campaigns completed a domestic treble for Pirates.

Under Moroccan coach and former Fulham Premier League defender Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates also lifted two of the three annual knockout competitions.

While Pirates celebrated with a capacity 45,000 crowd in northeastern city Mbombela, Orbit were relegated after just one season in the top flight.

They finished level on 24 points with Magesi, but went back to the second division due to an inferior goal difference.

Sundowns, who would have won a ninth consecutive title had Pirates drawn or lost against Orbit, completed their schedule two weeks ago owing to CAF Champions League commitments.

While Pirates were playing, Sundowns were in Morocco preparing to defend a 1-0 lead over FAR Rabat on Sunday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.

“I am a happy coach having brought joy to millions of Pirates supporters. They had to wait 14 years for this so it is special,” Ouaddou told reporters.

“My boys were so desperate to score an early goal that they rushed things and were stressed at times in the opening half.

“Pirates have the third youngest squad in the Premiership and that is both an advantage and a disadvantage. We have bundles of energy, but lack patience sometimes.

“Some of our supporters panicked recently when we dropped points in draws. This Premiership is a very tough league and opponents usually raise their game when facing us.

“I was privileged to be chosen as coach of Pirates this season and have done my best from the first day at the club.”

Pirates made a poor start to the league campaign, losing their first two matches, at home against Sekhukhune United and away to Marumo Gallants, the previous club of Ouaddou.

But they recovered quickly to win 21 matches and draw six while losing only once — at home to Sundowns in February.

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المصدر: The Namibian