Orlando Pirates will look to win three MTN8 cups in a row when they face Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, 5 October.
The Buccaneers are strong favourites to lift the trophy at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
However, the Cape Winelands team is becoming a dynamic force in the SPL league, having finished in third place in the 2023/24 season – tied on points with the Orlando Pirates.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
Orlando Pirates season so far
Three wins in three games sees Orlando Pirates lie second in the Betway Premiership, tied with Mamelodi Sundowns on points – the only two teams with perfect records.
While they will be full of confidence, having conceded only one goal and scoring six in the league, the Buccaneers enter Saturday’s fixtures with injury concerns to star players Monnapule Saleng and Olisa Ndah.
Both have been key protagonists in the team’s electric start, but are doubtful for the MTN8 final.
Head coach Jose Riveiro reported in a post-match conference that “it’s not 100% sure that they are going to be there in the final.”
Saleng’s absence could see Angolan footballer Gilberto take the reins on the right flank, having started against Richards Bay last weekend.
Centre-back Innocent Maela seems most likely to be Ndah’s replacement.
Stellenbosch FC’s season so far
Having lost their main attacking threat, Iqraam Rayners, to Mamelodi Sundowns, they’ve had a slow start to their Betway Premiership campaign, recording a win, draw and loss in their opening three games.
Albeit slow out the blocks, the Maroons’ last game saw them cruise past Cape Town City, 3-0, with a 30-yard finish from Andre de Jong before Fawaaz Basadien and Sanele Barns’ efforts ended the visitors’ hopes.
They will likely field an unchanged line-up against Orlando Pirates and use their counter-attacking style to exploit them.
Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens believes his team has what it takes to win the cup, telling iDiski Times, “I don’t think we need to fear Pirates or their record. No, because we are out to set our own records. We are out to chase our own goals and targets.
“So, I think going to the game, we can be very confident with what we have as a club. If we show up on the day, there’s no reason why we can’t come out of this game victorious.”
Riveiro’s MTN8 final concerns
In a conversation with SuperSport, he commented, “We respect them big time. We faced Stellenbosch four times last season, we beat them once. It took 94 minutes in Athlone to beat them, and we didn’t get the results in any of the other games.
“We know what it means to play Stellenbosch. We have to accept it is going to be a game where we’re going to be under threat because there are going to be transitions.”
What’s your MTN8 final score prediction?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebookfor the latest soccer news.
