Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch are developing quite a rivalry. They meet in the MTN8 final this weekend.
Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Stellies in MTN8 final
Deano van Rooyen is cup-tied after representing Stellenbosch in the MTN8 already this season so he’s ineligible for selection. Thabiso Monyane recently sat out a one-match suspension after an accumulation of bookings so he’s the likeliest candidate to step in for Van Rooyen.
Current injury concerns are offset by the huge depth at Pirates
Olisa Ndah and Monnapule Saleng are both major injury doubts so it’s a toss-up between Gilberto and Kabelo Dlamini to start off the right-hand side of the attacking midfield trio. Gilberto started against Richards Bay but Dlamini made a match-winning cameo off the bench. Coach Jose Riveiro must also make a difficult decision between whether to start Tshegofatso Mabasa or Evidence Makgopa. Mabasa is usually the first-choice but Makgopa was picked to start the recent Nedbank Cup final.
Predicted XI: Chaine; Monyane, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Mabasa
Mofokeng is a man to watch
The prodigiously talented Relebohile Mofokeng is getting better and better each day. The sky is the limit for the teenager who only turns 20 in October and is already a key operator for Bafana Bafana. He scored a stoppage-time winner in the Nedbank Cup final win over Sundowns so he knows how to perform in big games.
Buccaneers want to win everything
Pirates are back at the top table of African continental competition following their routine aggregate win over Jwaneng Galaxy. They’ll participate in the 2024-2024 Caf Champions League group stages, and they bank a minimum of R12 million in the process. Advancement to the quarter-finals would swell Pirates’ earnings to R15.6 million and the money keeps on getting better the further they go. The defending MTN8 and Nedbank Cup winners will add another trophy to their cabinet if they beat Stellies in the MTN8 final on October 5th. They’ve started their Betway Premiership campaign perfectly, winning three from three.
Will Pirates scoop yet another trophy under Mr Riveiro?
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