Aaron Mokoena: Pirates' experience meets Stellenbosch's ...

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FOOTBALL NEWS - Former Bafana Bafana & Blackburn Rovers defender Aaron Mokoena reckons that players are anxious heading into the MTN8 Final.

Cup final pressure and emotions

The MTN8 final is finally upon us and the buzz of such as massive occasion has stretched far and wide across the city of Durban as local football fans anticipate a mouth-watering clash between defending champions Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

For the third consecutive time, Pirates are set to walk onto the Moses Mabhida pitch with their sights set on lifting the trophy following their successful campaigns against Amazulu (2022) and Mamelodi Sundowns (2023) at the same venue.

However, though their experience will boost their confidence heading into Saturday, former Bafana Bafana captain and Blackburn Rovers defender Aaron Mokoena reckons they will still be feeling anxious ahead of the final.

Having been in pressure games as Bafana Bafana captain here at home during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and having played in the FA Cup final during his playing days, Mokoena told SportsBoom that there is just not getting over the emotions of playing in a final.

"There's always that anxiety that you want to get into the field as soon as possible. That is what's going through the players' minds. You just want to start, and you don't want to wait. You want to get your first tackle, get your first pass in and get your first goal," Mokoena told SportsBoom.com.

"I remember with myself when we were in the FA Cup final, when we had the World Cup as well, you want to get all the emotions out of the way. At the same time, I'm sure both teams are excited that they are in the final because you must remember that if they win, they get themselves in the African continent cup as well," he added.

Mokoekan's soft spot for Pirates

Now as a South African Football Association (SAFA) employee, Mokoena must maintain a neutral view on any fixture. However, having grown up in the Vaal in Johannesburg, about an hour drive to Orlando Stadium, the 43-year-old just cannot hide his love for Pirates.

"I will say that may the best team on the day win, but I will also say that I grew up supporting Orlando Pirates and my heart is still with Pirates. I remember when I was young when the Pirates would lose, I would cry,” said Mokoena.

"Myself and my older brother, we were the only Pirates fans in the family so when he was not around and Pirates lost, I would literally cry because I would get teased a lot. So, I have that soft spot for the Buccaneers, and it would be nice for the cup to stay in the Johannesburg," he added.

Coach Jose Riveiro's tenure at Pirates

Mokoena lauds Pirates coach Jose Riveiro who in his two-year tenure has won four trophies. As a SAFA Assistant Head Scout, Mokoena is mostly on the lookout for talented youngsters all around the country, and it is this passion that Mokoena and Riveiro share.

Riveiro has taken a youngster such as Relebohile Mofokeng, a 19-year-old baller, and turned him into the country's most valued asset. As a result, going into the final, all eyes will be on Mofokeng to deliver a stellar performance.

"Coach Riveiro brought a different dimension or different feeling about Pirates. He has turned the club's fortunes by recruiting players that are suitable for his philosophy and players who understand how big the Orlando Pirates brand is," said Mokoena.

"Ever since he took over, Pirates have become very difficult to beat which suggests that Riveiro has been a great appointment by club chairman Irvin Khoza and Orlando Pirates. He has changed Pirates for the better.”

"What I love the most about him is that he even gives young players a chance to play. He is not scared to do that. But at the same time, he knows when to throw them in the deep end. For me, that's essentially why Pirates have been winning trophies," he added.

A score to settle for Stellenbosch

Pirates head into this encounter as clear favourites, however, Stellenbosch is a motivated bunch under coach Steve Barker.

After all, Barker and his team have a score to settle against Pirates having narrowly missed out on qualifying for the final of the same competition last year courtesy of the same Orlando Pirates outfit.

In that two-legged semi-final fixture, Stellenbosch and Pirates were deadlocked with the score reading 2-2 with Pirates moving on to the final on away goal criterion.

As a result, Barker's team will be itching to get in the field and right their wrongs at Moses Mabhida on Saturday.

The encounter gets underway at 18:05 SAST.

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