Soweto giants Orlando Pirates are the 2020 MTN 8 champions.
LIVE BLOG: ORLANDO PIRATES V BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC
Pirates beat a 10-man Bloemfontein Celtic side in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
TOURNAMENT WAS FIRST PLAYED IN 1972
The win was Pirates’ 10th MTN 8 title in a tournament which was first played in 1972.
Celtic opened the scoring as early as the third minute through Siphelele Luthuli only for Namibia’s Deon Hotto to equalise for the Buccaneers in the 32nd minute.
With the scores level at 1-1 at the break it was all to play for in the second half.
However, disaster struck for Celtic in the 58th minute when midfielder Thato Lingwati was red-carded.
First half substitute Thembinkosi Lorch stepped up to convert the resultant penalty, giving Pirates a lead they didn’t relinquish.
Pirates walked away R8 million richer for their victory while Celtic had to console themselves with R800 000.
Celtic had been looking for only their second MTN 8 title, having lifted the trophy back in 2005 when the tournament was still known as the SAA Super Eight Cup.
Cellular giants MTN have sponsored the tournament since 2008.
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PREVIOUS MTN 8 WINNERS:
