MTN8 Final: Orlando Pirates to Keep Wafa Wafa Trophy Forever After Defeating AmaZulu

• Orlando Pirates' latest victory in the MTN8 could be the most significant in the club's history
• The Buccaneers won their 11th Top 8 title since the inception of the competition in 1972
• The club will get to keep the current trophy forever in the cabinet as a new design is being created

Orlando Pirates is currently on cloud nine.

The club captured its 11th MTN8 title after defeating AmaZulu 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Monnapule Saleng's cracking free-kick in the 25th minute from a tight angle proved to be the difference between the two teams.

As reported by SABC Sport, the Buccaneers will now get to keep the trophy because of the number of times they have won the competition before (11), with a new design for the trophy coming next season.

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Ahead of the final, MTN brand manager Nomsa Chabeli had said:

“We, with the PSL, have made a decision about the trophy that we are going to retire this year. And this is the last year that the trophy is going to be lifted, but there is something we discussed about this trophy that there is a certain team that has won the trophy more than other teams.

“If they win this Saturday, they are going to retain the trophy, those are the Buccaneers. If Usuthu wins it, the cup goes back to the MTN head office.”

MTN has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2008.

MTN8 Final match report: Amazing Monnapule Saleng free-kick hands Orlando Pirates victory over AmaZulu

The disappointment of the Soweto Derby has been forgotten quickly by Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers defeated AmaZulu 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, Sports Brief reported. Pirates' solitary goal came from the red-hot Monnapule Saleng, who intentionally fired the ball home past a bemused Veli Mothwa in the 25th minute of a scrappy and tense final.

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The rest of the match was a tense and scrappy affair as both teams struggled to gain rhythm. However, Pirates' strong defence enveloped Usuthu as the 'home' team sought the equaliser in front of King Misuzulu of the Zulu nation.

The closest they came was via the head of Lehlohonolo Majoro, who's header found the crossbar with Richard Ofori well beaten. That was as close as it would come as the Buccaneers claimed their first trophy since 2020, when they won the same trophy at the same venue against AmaZulu.