Orlando Pirates will have a tough battle to retain the MTN8 trophy when they clash against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the final on Saturday evening.
MTN8 Final
Teams: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 07 October 2023
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Time: 18h00
Pirates made it through to the final after eliminating Stellenbosch in the semi-finals on away goals, after the sides were tied 2-2 on aggregate.
The Buccaneers beat Stellies 2-1 away in the semi-final first-leg and progressed to the final despite a 1-0 defeat in the second-leg.
Jose Riveiro's charges have lost three of their last four games in all competitions and were last in action last week Friday, where a 1-0 win over Jwaneng Galaxy in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second-leg, was not enough to see them through to the group stages, after they were eliminated by Galaxy on penalties, following a 1-1 draw on aggregate.
Sundowns, on the other hand, qualified for the final after edging Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. After a 1-1 draw in the semi-final first-leg, the Brazilians went on to beat Amakhosi 2-1 in the second-leg.
Rulani Mokwena's troops are unbeaten in all competitions this season and their last game was a 2-0 win over Bumamuru in the CAF Champions League last weekend, where they progressed to the group stages with a 6-0 rout on aggregate.
The last time the sides met in the MTN8, Pirates thrashed Sundowns 3-0 in the semi-final second-leg and won by the same scoreline on aggregate on their way to lifting the trophy last season.
The Buccaneers will be looking to win back-to-back MTN8 titles for the second time after they first achieved the feat in 2010 and 2011.
Here's how they line up:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Hotto, Timm, Monare, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Erasmus, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Ndah, Mofokeng, Baloni, Mako, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makgopa, Makhaula
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Coetzee, Mudau, Boutouil, Modiba, Mokowena, Allende, Maema, Zwane, Shalulile
Subs: D. Onyango, Kekana, Lebusa, Zungu, Mkhulise, Maboe, Mabena, Maseko, Mendieta
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