The University of Johannesburg (UJ) are 2024 Pirates Cup champions after beating Teltonika Amahle in the men’s final, while JVW triumphed over Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies to clinch the women’s title as the competition concluded at Marks Park on Sunday.
The Blue Diamonds are the second women’s team to emerge as Pirates Cup champions, and did so in dramatic fashion after forcing the game into penalties following a late equaliser from Julia Goncalves who converted from the spot to cancel out a stunning left-footed strike netted by Munashe Mugwara early in the second half.
Goalkeeper Casey Gordon was the hero in the shootout, keeping out two penalties to help her side to a 4-3 win which etched their name in history alongside the inaugural winners of the women’s competition, Tuks Ladies.
The men’s final on the other hand was decided in regulation time with UJ rallying back to overcome a first half deficit en route to securing the title. This is after Amahle took the lead through Lekhetho Morena before clinging on to preserve their lead as the two sides went to the break.
The Orange Army pressed for an equaliser and found it through Puleng Bapela midway through the second half, with the player later completing his brace moments from the final whistle to place his side within touching distance of the title. They were eventually confirmed as champions when the ref soon sounded the whistle, sparking wild celebrations.
Meanwhile, TS Galaxy Queens took third place in the women’s competition after beating Wits University in a goal-fest which finished with a 6-3 spectacle, while Emalahleni United finished third in the men’s category after overcoming Midlands Academy in their playoff.
