Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns player ratings: Williams and Mokoena lead Sundowns to MTN8 glory

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

It is their second MTN8 title and their first since 2007. Teboho Mokoena scored after 11 minutes, and Iqraam Rayners added a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The defeat ends Pirates’ 25-match unbeaten run and their hopes of a fifth straight MTN8. Here is how every player rated after the clash.

Mamelodi Sundowns player ratings

Ronwen Williams (GK), 8.0: Man of the match and the highest-rated player on the pitch. He kept a clean sheet in a final where Pirates had 52% of the ball.

Teboho Mokoena (CM), 7.7: He scored the opener after 11 minutes. He completed 41 passes at 89%, had 5 touches in the Pirates box and an xG of 0.77.

⚽️ 𝕄𝕋ℕ𝟠 🏆 🥅 ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Teboho Mokoena gets an opener for the Brazilians! 𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 0⃣➖1⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 🚨 LIVE 🥇 Final 📺 SABC 1 🌐 https://t.co/afggCu6HfA #SABCSportFootball #MTN8 #WafaWafa https://t.co/Cqs4uNzFwg

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Marcelo Allende (CM), 7.3: The game’s most accurate passer, with 58 completed passes at 94%. His 74 touches were the most of any player.

Khulumani Ndamane (CB), 7.3: Solid at the back, though booked just before half-time.

Malibongwe Khoza (CB), 7.2: Part of the back line that gave Pirates little to work with.

Thabang Matuludi (RB), 7.0: Steady on the right.

Thabo Cele (CM, 68′), 6.8: Came on as a substitute and was booked in the 90th minute.

Brayan Léon (ST), 6.8: Three shots, 5 touches in the box and 11 duels, but he did not score.

Divine Lunga (DEF, 46′), 6.8: Introduced at half-time.

Tashreeq Matthews (W), 6.8: Won 15 duels, the most of any player in the match. He was booked in the first half and replaced after 82 minutes.

Thapelo Morena (W), 6.8: Gave Sundowns width.

Aubrey Modiba (LB), 6.5: Booked just before the break.

Nuno Santos (CAM), 6.3: The lowest-rated Sundowns player, he made way for Cele in the 68th minute.

Iqraam Rayners, Siyanda Ndlovu and the other late Sundowns substitutes were not rated. Rayners came on after 82 minutes and scored the stoppage-time penalty.

Orlando Pirates player ratings

Nkosinathi Sibisi (CB, captain), 7.5: Pirates’ best player. He was booked in the 84th minute.

Sipho Chaine (GK), 7.3: Beaten twice, but still the second-highest-rated Pirates player.

Kamogelo Sebelebele (LB), 7.1: Booked just before half-time and replaced by Oswin Appollis at the break.

Lebone Seema (CB), 7.0: Won both his dribbles, a rare sign of composure from a centre-back.

Simphiwe Masilela (CM, 74′), 6.9: The best of the substitutes.

Thalente Mbatha (CM), 6.9: Pirates’ most threatening midfielder, with a team-high 4 shots, 70 touches and 46 accurate passes at 85%. He was replaced after 82 minutes.

Simphiwe Selepe (CM), 6.7: Booked early on and replaced in the 74th minute.

Deon Hotto (RB), 6.6: Had 69 touches, the third-most in the match.

Yanela Mbuthuma (ST), 6.6: Led the line until he was replaced by Evidence Makgopa after 74 minutes.

Tshepang Moremi (W), 6.6: Booked in the 49th minute and replaced after 74.

Evidence Makgopa (FWD, 74′), 6.5: Came on to try to turn the game.

Kabelo Kgosietsile (FWD, 74′), 6.3: Could not change the game.

Oswin Appollis (FWD, 46′), 6.2: Introduced at half-time but could not make an impact.

Thapelo Mokobodi (CAM), 6.2: Completed his one dribble.

Ghampani Lungu (W), 5.6: The lowest-rated player on the pitch. He had 3 shots, 5 touches in the box and an xG of 0.90, but missed a penalty in the 62nd minute at 0-1 down.

Mohau Nkota’s late cameo was not rated.

Man of the match

Ronwen Williams earned the top rating of 8.0, with Mokoena close behind after scoring the goal that settled the final. Pirates’ best was Sibisi, while Lungu endured the toughest evening.