JN Writer

After playing to 1-1 stalemate in the first leg of the MTN 8 semi-finals last weekend at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, football pundits are waiting to see if Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates will advance to the final of the competition this weekend when the Buccaneers visit Sundowns in the return leg at Lucas Masterpieces Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

This is a high stakes fixture for both premiership giants, as they are both pressured to ultimately go on and win the cup competition and claim the first trophy that is on offer in the new 2025/2026 season. Defending champions Pirates have been winning this competition successively since the 2022/2023 season under Jose Riviero and will now be determined to extend their dominance by winning the competition under new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou – who is aware of this expectation from Bucs’ legion of fans.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, and his charges are equally under pressure to deliver the elusive MTN 8 title, which the club has won on a mere four previous occasion. In fact, the fifteen-time Premier Soccer League champion (PSL) champions have a constantly revolving mandate to win all trophies on offer in any given season – including the MTN 8.

Despite their undeniable premiership dominance, Sundowns have been struggling on the domestic cups front as compared to their Soweto rivals, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Pirates have won the MTN 8 title a total of 13 times, while Chiefs hold the record with 15 titles. Downs have been playing catch up in the cup tournament fray and have continuously failed live up to expectations - which vividly contrasts their immaculate success in the league.

With the battle lines drawn, this sold-out affair is set to kick-off at 15:00 tomorrow.

In the other semi-final fixture, Sekhukhune United will have to overturn a two-goal deficit to overcome Stellenbosch FC to advance to the final of the competition. Babina Noko would need to net no less than three goals without conceding to advance to the final. A 2-0 win by Sekhukhune would force the match into a penalty shootout.

While the permutations are clear, beating Stellenbosch is surely going to prove to be a tall order for the Limpopo side.  Underestimating Sekhukhune, however, would also be a very risky undertaking by Stellenbosch who slumped to a 1-0 loss to the Buccaneers in a midweek league fixture, while the former thumped Orbit College by three goals to none on Tuesday night.

The magnificent midweek win not only serves as proof of Sekhukhune’s prowess in front of goals but may serve as essential inspiration that may lead them to victory this Sunday. This match will take place later Saturday at 18:00.