The sale of match tickets commenced at 15h00 PM on Thursday, 28 September and within 18 hours, on Friday, they were completely sold out.

The highly anticipated MTN8 final is scheduled to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, October 7, kicking off at 18h00 PM.

Fans are urged to arrive early as the gates will open at 14h00 PM to facilitate a seamless entry process.

Orlando Pirates secured their berth by triumphing over Stellenbosch, while Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place with a captivating victory over Kaizer Chiefs in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
There will be no tickets sold at the stadium.

The forthcoming MTN8 final, featuring a thrilling clash between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, is set to commence at 18h00PM.

Gates will open to eager fans at 14h00PM, ensuring everyone has ample time to soak in the pre-match atmosphere.

Orlando Pirates earned their spot in the final by triumphing over Stellenbosch, while Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place by eliminating Kaizer Chiefs in an entertaining semi-final.

For those eager to secure their spot in the stadium and witness the action firsthand, tickets are now available for purchase at Ticketpro outlets across the country. Each ticket is priced at R100.

In the first leg, Deon Hotto’s injury-time winner proved crucial as it contributed significantly to the Buccaneers’ advancement to the MTN8 final on the away goals rule.

The 22nd-minute own goal by Zakhele Lepasa in the second leg gave Stellenbosch some hope, but Pirates managed to hold on to their spot in the final, which is set to take place on October 7th.

Right from the start of the game, Orlando Pirates displayed an aggressive approach, aiming to establish control of the ball. On the other hand, Stellenbosch adopted a more opportunistic strategy, particularly during counter-attacking situations.

Despite Pirates dominating possession, Stellenbosch managed to create a couple of significant scoring opportunities within the opening 20 minutes, largely credited to Iqraam Rayners.

Stellenbosch broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on a corner situation. Pirates struggled to clear the ball from their area, and Rayners seized the opportunity, firing a shot that deflected off Lepasa inside the box, leaving the goalkeeper bewildered.

Deon Hotto came close to equalizing for Pirates just five minutes before halftime with a curling free-kick from the right side of the Stellenbosch area, but Sage Stephens made a crucial save. Nonetheless, Stellenbosch held a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Stellenbosch initially controlled possession but posed little threat going forward. Meanwhile, Pirates looked dangerous when attacking, with players like Hotto and Paseka Mako linking up effectively in the Stellenbosch half. However, Pirates struggled to convert their attacking opportunities and were let down by their finishing in the final third.

As the match reached the 75th-minute mark, the Buccaneers retained possession, while Stellenbosch resorted to counterattacks. In the 89th minute, second-half substitute Evidence Makgopa came close to equalizing for Pirates with a shot from the right side of the penalty box that forced Stephens into action.

Although Stellenbosch secured a 1-0 victory on the day, Orlando Pirates advanced to the MTN8 final with the advantage of two away goals, resulting in a 2-2 final aggregate score in their favour.

The match holds the key to securing a spot in the final for the Buccaneers, who gained a slight advantage in the away leg earlier this month.

The decider promises to be a thrilling contest as the Soweto Giants aim to further enrich their trophy cabinet, while Stellenbosch, continues their quest for their inaugural piece of silverware in top-tier competition.

For the visitors, not only a spot in the final is on the line but also the opportunity to break free from their recent slump in form that has plagued them since mid-August.

The Maroons have endured a tough period, going winless in five games, suffering four defeats, and managing just one draw, all while scoring only twice and conceding eight goals.

Their most recent setback occurred in a midweek league fixture against Swallows, where they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat despite playing a portion of the match with a numerical disadvantage.

Stellenbosch is now tasked with a must-win encounter against the defending champions, who are determined to regain their winning touch. The Buccaneers themselves suffered a recent defeat at home, falling 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns, marking their first loss at Orlando Stadium since February.

This loss followed their CAF Champions League defeat to Jwaneng Galaxy, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak across various competitions.

While a draw on Sunday would secure a spot in the final for Pirates, they are motivated to claim their fourth consecutive cup victory on home turf since the start of the season.

Bucs coach Jose Riveiro can count on the services of midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, who is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation and could feature in the matchday squad.

Stellenbosch has received a boost as well, with defender Thabo Moloisane returning from suspension after being red-carded in the first leg. However, Ismael Toure will be absent after his red card in Tuesday’s league clash against Swallows.

Zakhele Lepasa, currently the leading goal scorer in the competition, will be eager to find the back of the net once more on Sunday. Known for his excellent positioning and spatial awareness, the Pirates striker has a knack for appearing in the right place at the right time and possesses the ability to create scoring opportunities seemingly out of thin air.

Crucial for the visitors’ chances will be keeping the Buccaneers from scoring, and Sage Stephens, their goalkeeper, will once again play a pivotal role. The 32-year-old displayed fine shot-stopping skills in the opening leg, thwarting Pirates’ attempts to find the net.

Stellenbosch is set to face the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-finals, determined to overturn a 2-1 deficit from their initial encounter in Stellenbosch earlier this month.

While Stellie enters this match facing challenges such recent form and the absence of midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa, coupled with the unavailability of Ismaël Touré due to a red card in last week’s league defeat against Moroka Swallows, Barker remains undeterred.

He is resolute in his team’s anticipation of Sunday’s clash against the reigning champions and is committed to giving their more-favored opponents a formidable challenge on the day.

“What do they say? A wounded animal is most dangerous at times,” Barker told the media.

“It’s over now and there’s nothing we can do, so it’s important that we remain positive and look forward to a fantastic opportunity. It’s not every year that you are in a semi-final of a major competition, so we are positive and looking forward to that.

“Now they will be saying, ‘They haven’t got Ox and Touré is on a red card and not available, and there is this injury and that injury.’

“Yeah, we know that it’s not going to be an easy task but sometimes when you have your back against the wall, you are dangerous, and we have absolutely nothing to lose.

“We know that we have to score two goals… We want to score two goals to keep ourselves in the tie, and the game doesn’t even change if they score first, because we still need to score twice. If it ends 2-1 and goes to extra-time [a penalty shoot-out] we would take it.

The match was a heavyweight battle that remained tense throughout and was ultimately decided by Peter Shalulile’s impressive performance, netting two crucial goals – one at the start and one at the end of the first half.

Sundowns got off to a dream start, with Peter Shalulile capitalizing on Brandon Petersen’s clearance attempt just 10 seconds after kick-off. Shalulile executed a brilliant finish from a tight angle, putting the hosts 1-0 up on the day and 2-1 ahead on aggregate.

Kaizer Chiefs had their first genuine chance in the 16th minute when Ashley Du Preez’s pace took him free down the inside right channel, but he couldn’t find the target from a tight angle.

However, they were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute when Sipho Mbule’s attempt to clear a corner resulted in a handball. Du Preez stepped up to the spot and beat Ronwen Williams, making it 1-1 on the day and 2-2 overall.

As halftime approached, Sundowns struck again in added time. A counter-attack led to Lucas Ribeiro delivering an intelligent cross from the left of the box to find Shalulile, who scored with a close-range header. This put Sundowns 2-1 up in the game and 3-2 ahead on aggregate.

The second half saw changes from both teams, with Sundowns improving their counter-attacking ability and Chiefs bolstering their forward line. Chiefs created a promising opportunity on the 62nd minute when Du Preez unleashed a shot towards goal, but Williams made an excellent save with his legs to maintain Sundowns’ lead.

Chiefs continued to press for an equalizer and had a strong case for a penalty denied in injury time when Mduduzi Mdantsane appeared to be fouled in the box by Thapelo Maseko. However, the referee ignored the appeals for a second penalty, despite television replays suggesting that Chiefs had a legitimate claim.

Sundowns now await the winner of the Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC semifinal, set to take place on Sunday, September 24. The MTN8 final is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, where Sundowns will aim to secure the trophy.

Sundowns will host Kaizer Chiefs in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Khuliso Mudau’s last-gasp equalizer secured a 1-1 draw during the first leg at FNB Stadium and Mokwena believes the tie is far from over.

“It’s a small advantage, but it is an advantage that we worked very hard to get,” Mokwena says.
“However, it means nothing if we don’t perform in the second half, which consists of the next 90 minutes of the tie.

“We were pleased with the equalizer we achieved in the first leg. At Sundowns, our goal is always to try to win every game, regardless of the advantage or disadvantage we may have had.

“The attitude at this great club is always focused on winning and that is our mentality. We will strive to win the game on Saturday, even though it may be very challenging,” says Mokwena.

Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the league on Wednesday while Amakhosi suffered a 1-0 defeat to Supersport United.

But despite the winless streak of four matches, the Sundowns coach believes that Molefi Ntseki’s side remains a formidable force.

“To be honest, they are a very good side with some excellent players who create lots of chances,” adds Mokwena.

“They do very well with the ball from the wings and they are a threat any day, any time. Their midfield options are always strong as well, which gives them some form of dynamism, so we have to be well-prepared. I am sure they say the same about us and they should also be well-prepared to face us,” Mokwena added.

Amakhosi will take on Matsatsantsa in the DStv Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Kaizer Chiefs are unbeaten in four matches across all competitions while Supersport United lost one in four matches.

“We are taking a very strong team to SuperSport,” said Nteki. “The guys that are left behind are also very good players with good qualities. The attitude is very good in the squad.

“Those who have been left behind will also raise their hand to be selected for the game against Sundowns. We have done what has to be done in terms of the regeneration and the freshness of the players, and the tactical readiness to go and grind a result against SuperSport.

“It’s a big game. Whenever you play SuperSport, you expect a very tough game, highly physical, highly tactical.

“From our side, we have prepared well for the physical and tactical side of the game. Mentally, we are coming from a draw, so we are looking forward to putting smiles on our faces and the faces of our supporters.

“And also, to go into the next game with confidence, having played well against SuperSport. We are expecting a very tough game. When the going gets tough we need to get tougher, mentally and physically.

“We are facing a former coach of Kaizer Chiefs obviously, so we are looking forward to a good game where we are prepared to give a good performance. Good performances, I always say, will give you good results.”

On Saturday, 23 September Amakhosi will take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8, semi-final, second leg and Ntseki insist that his focus on facing SuperSport.

“For us the SuperSport game is a cup final. You can’t go to the final if you don’t win your semifinal. You have to give your ‘A’ game.

“We have experience of going through situations like this. We had an away game against Stellies in Cape Town before we played Sundowns (in the MTN 8 semifinal first leg).

“I think the guys gave a very good account of themselves and tactically we had a good plan against Stellies, and won that game. We came back to prepare for Sundowns where everything went very well for us, except for the last minute where we were supposed to go home with a win.

“The approach is the same going into this game. It is one game at a time.”
By Zola Doda

The opening stages of the match saw most of the action taking place in Orlando Pirates’ half, but neither team created goal scoring chances in the first ten minutes.

The game became end-to-end but without many clear-cut opportunities for either side in the first fifteen minutes.

The visitors gained control of the ball as the first half progressed, with Stellenbosch sitting back to absorb pressure.

Stellenbosch was reduced to 10 men after 32 minutes when Thabo Moloisane was sent off following a rough challenge on Patrick Maswanganyi.

Despite being under pressure for most of the half, Stellenbosch managed to take the lead just before halftime with a looping header by Ismael Toure from a corner.

In the second half, Orlando Pirates continued to dominate possession and apply pressure, searching for an equalizer. They managed to draw level in the 65th minute when Zakhele Lepasa scored with a glancing header.

Stellenbosch, despite being a man down, did not shy away from attacking and created some goal-scoring opportunities.

The match was tightly contested, with both teams working hard to find a winner. Orlando Pirates finally secured the victory in the 94th minute when Deon Hotto scored a header following a good passing move, earning his team a 2-1 win in Cape Town.

The game started with high intensity, and both teams fought hard for ball possession, showcasing the intensity of their rivalry.

In the early minutes of the match, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba had attempts on goal, but they couldn’t find the target.

Sundowns continued to press, with Themba Zwane and Lucas Ribeiro getting close to scoring, but the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson made crucial saves.

Sundowns captain, Themba Zwane, suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Lesiba Nku. The first half ended in a deadlock, with Sundowns having more possession and taking six shots, one of which was on target.

In the 60th minute, Venezuelan international, Edson Castillo scored a diving header to give Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 lead.

Midway through the second half Sundowns coach, Rulani Mokwena, brought in Junior Mendieta for Neo Maema to try and turn the game around, bringing in fresh legs.

Mudau became the hero for Sundowns in stoppage time when he headed in a pinpoint cross from Junior Mendieta, equalizing the score.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for an exciting second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on September 23.