MTN8 Final: PSL and Orlando Pirates Chairman Irvin Khoza Visits Ramahlwe Mphahlele in Hospital After Collision

MTN8 Final: PSL and Orlando Pirates Chairman Irvin Khoza Visits Ramahlwe Mphahlele in Hospital After Collision

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM
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  • There was a concerning incident which occurred in the MTN8 final last Saturday
  • Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori collided with AmaZulu defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele as they both challenged for a cross
  • Mphahlele was knocked unconscious, before being taken to a hospital nearby where the Premier Soccer League's and Orlando Pirates' chairman Irvin Khoza visited him out of concern

Football might be a competitive and divisive sport, but those on either side of the divide can unite under a common cause.

This is the case with AmaZulu player Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza. Khoza, who doubles as the Premier Soccer League's chairman, visited Mphahlele in hospital following the MTN8 final between the two clubs.

mtn8 final, orlando pirates, mr spot on, ace ncobo, ramahlwe mphahlele, amazulu, richard ofori, irvin khoza, premier soccer league, hospital
Ramahlwe Mphahlele was injured after colliding with Richard Ofori. Image source: @SABC_Sport.
Source: Twitter

Mphahlele had been injured following a collision with Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori after they both went for a cross. It was SuperSport pundit and former FIFA referee Ace 'Mr Spot On' Ncobo who revealed that Khoza forewent celebrations with his club after they won the final to visit the stricken stalwart defender.

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Ncobo said:

"Something really special took place. It's 11pm on the night of the cup final. Old people are supposed to be relaxing. They are supposed to be celebrating if they are on the side of the winning team. Ramahlwe Mphahlele, 11pm, is in hospital. Booked for observation overnight. A special thing for me, and very few people know about this.
"The chairman of the league, who is also the owner chairman of Orlando Pirates - the winning team - he is an elder. He is supposed to be relaxing in his hotel room. He is supposed to be celebrating the win by his team. But he is not there. He is neither at his hotel room, nor celebrating the win. He is at the hospital, personally overseeing that the player from an opposition club is being properly attended to. For me, that's special. That is leadership. That shows that the win is not more important than the life of the player."

Video: Monnapule Saleng punishes Veli Mothwa in MTN8 final like he almost caught out Ronwen Williams

Monnapule Saleng's sensational free kick, which inspired Orlando Pirates to the win over AmaZulu in the MTN8 final, was no fluke.

In the 25th minute of the match, Saleng wickedly curled the ball in over Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa in what appeared to be a cross, as reported by Sports Brief. However, a viral video showed that he had attempted this earlier in the competition.

On that occasion, the ball hit the crossbar, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rooted to the ground in surprise - having not expected that Saleng would dare test him from that position.

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Keba Mothoagae
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