Sebelebele Celebrates Team Spirit Behind Pirates’ Victory
Orlando Pirates standout Kamogelo Sebelebele credits the team’s halftime motivation as a significant factor in their revival against Mamelodi Sundowns during the MTN8 semifinal.
Sebelebele, who has thrived since his transfer from TS Galaxy, netted the important equalizer in the 2-2 aggregate tie at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
A Memorable Performance
Sebelebele’s goal leveled the match after Iqraam Rayner’s earlier strike, which pushed the game to a penalty shootout. The Buccaneers held their composure, converting all four penalties, with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine making two crucial saves. This victory came on the heels of Sebelebele’s goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw at Orlando Stadium last weekend, solidifying his status as a key player.
“We began a bit slow, but during halftime, we had discussions in the locker room, and the substitutes boosted our morale,” Sebelebele mentioned. “We needed everyone to step up.”
Looking Ahead to the Final
The Pirates will face Stellenbosch in the final on September 13. This match is anticipated to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, a location that holds both fond and mixed memories for Sebelebele.
The final will serve as a rematch of last season’s MTN8 final, which the Pirates won 3-1. For Sebelebele, this marks his second final in his career. Last season, while with TS Galaxy, he faced Stellenbosch in the Carling Knockout final at the same venue.
This time, he is determined to claim the title. “This is going to be my second professional final, and I’m aiming to earn the gold medal,” Sebelebele stated, also noting that he scored against Stellenbosch earlier that week in a league match.
He concluded with a message for the fans: “We want to spread joy to our supporters who come in large numbers, and our goal is to make them happy.”
