Orlando Pirates gave Mbekezile Mbokazi the perfect send-off by beating Marumo Gallants 1-0 after extra time in the Carling Knockout final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, December 6.
Mbokazi was making his final appearance for the Buccaneers after signing for the Chicago Fire earlier this week and the captain departs with his second winner's medal in the space of just three months.
Yanela Mbuthuma appeared to score the winner in the 105th minute, although Relebohile Mofokeng seemed to claim the goal which came in bizarre fashion.
Pirates have dominated the Cup competitions in recent times, winning the MTN8 four years in a row (2022-2025) and claiming back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles (2023, 2024), although they've only lifted the Carling Knockout trophy once (2011) - until now.
✅- #MTN8
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2025
✅- #CarlingKnockout
The Bucs close out 2025 with a cup double 🏆🏆#SSDiski | #CarlingKnockoutFinal pic.twitter.com/SE6bAedTgp
Meanwhile, Gallants were competing in only their second Cup final after coming so close three years ago when they lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns after extra time in the 2022 Nedbank Cup decider.
The Sea Robbers attacked from the get-go and almost broke the deadlock after just three minutes when Evidence Makgopa saw his shot cleared off the line following a defensive lapse from Alexandre Lafitte's side.
Thabiso Lebitso failed to test Washington Arubi with a first-time strike from inside the box on 10 minutes before Thalente Mbatha drew a save out of the Zimbabwean keeper two minutes later after taking aim from range.
Arubi was also required to keep out Oswin Appollis' effort from inside the area on 17 minutes, while Masindi Nemtajela and Mofokeng both missed the target with their respective shots before the half-hour mark.
Lebone Seema fired over on the volley at the back post from a corner on 32 minutes and Makgopa was opened the opener on the stroke of halftime after Arubi tipped his flicked header over the crossbar.
Goalless at the break in Polokwane ⚽❌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2025
Makgopa thought he opened the scoring in the second minute 😲👇
📺 Stream #CarlingKnockout on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/12apZpxc5p
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa got their act together in the second half to limit Pirates' chances in attack, although Tshepang Moremi did manage to force a save out of Arubi on 55 minutes following a darting run down the left flank.
Yanela Mbuthuma had an opportunity to win it at the death for the Soweto giants, only to steer his header wide of the post from Moremi's floated cross in the third minute of stoppage time.
Arubi was called into action once more on 99 minutes when Sipho Mbule cut across the box from the left and let fly, but Pirates finally made the breakthrough six minutes later.
Mofokeng played in Deon Hotto on the right and his cut-back was only partially cleared into the path of the Bafana Bafana winger, whose first-time shot was headed down into the ground by Marvin Sikhosana and deflected off the defender towards goal, where Mbuthuma tapped home almost on the goalline.
Orlando Pirates find a way through for the opener 😤☠️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2025
📺 Stream #CarlingKnockout on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/GFX7ZnJOEC
Jason Clifford threatened to restored parity moments later with a volley that flashed wide of the goal, while Mbule looked to double Pirates' lead on 113 minutes with a curling effort that was kept out by Arubi.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Mbuthuma 105')
Marumo Gallants (0) 0
Orlando Pirates: S. Chaine, T. Lebitso, L. Seema, M. Mbokazi, N. Ndaba (D. Hotto 59'), T. Mbatha (S. Mbule 83'), M. Makhaula (T. Moremi 46'), M. Nemtajela, O. Appollis (C. Dansin 100'), E. Makgopa (Y. Mbuthuma 64'), R. Mofokeng (N. Sibisi 105').
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, K. Ncube, E. Agnikoi, M. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, K. Sithole (M. Mpambaniso 82'), S. Nhlapo, I. Bance (K. Mhlongo 112'), B. Mabuza (D. Msendami 46'), K. Otladisa (T. Motloung 105'), N. Ndlondlo (J. Clifford 105').