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.

After conceding an initial 1-0 deficit during their trip to Gaborone, the Soweto Giants were determined to secure advancement to the competition’s group stage.

The Buccaneers pressed forward, with Paseka Mako’s shot on target the first real test for Jwaneng Galaxy’s Goitseone Phoko, though it was comfortably handled.

Zakhele Lepasa had a promising chance when he headed Patrick Maswanganyi’s cross towards goal, but it went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Midfielder Thabang Monare tried his luck from outside the box, but Phoko denied him as well. The first half saw Orlando Pirates’ defenders, Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi, even joining the attack, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.

Maswanganyi’s late effort from a tight angle also met Phoko’s resistance. The second half began much like the first, with the Buccaneers unable to break through Jwaneng’s defense.

It took until after the hour mark for a breakthrough when substitute Evidence Makgopa’s deflected shot found the net.

Jwaneng had a rare chance in the 72nd minute through Wendell Rudath, but his shot missed the target. Despite Pirates’ efforts to regain control, they couldn’t find the elusive second goal.

Their closest opportunity came 23 minutes from the final whistle when Kermit Erasmus struck the woodwork with a powerful shot. Makgopa and Hotto attempted to secure the victory, but neither could find the target.

The match eventually ended in a penalty shootout. Hotto and Rubath made their spot-kicks, leveling it at 1-1. Sibisi and Xoki followed with successful penalties, while Sesinyi and Masuku ensured the visitors were still level after three penalties each.

Pirates’ teenage midfielder missed the fourth penalty, and although Maswanganyi converted his, it wasn’t enough to pull the Soweto Giants back into the contest. The visitors had a perfect conversion rate and secured their spot among the final 16 teams in the competition.

The Zimbabwean international, who initially joined Orlando Pirates in 2016 from FC Cape Town and later showcased his skills during a loan stint at Baroka FC in the same season, has returned to the spotlight.

After his successful loan spell at Baroka, Munetsi rejoined the Buccaneers a year later and soon made a name for himself.

During the 2018/19 season, he impressed with 24 appearances for the club, contributing to their journey to the Telkom Knockout Cup final and securing a second-place finish in the Absa Premiership.

In June 2019, he made a significant move to the French Ligue 1 by joining Stade Reims. This week, Munetsi seized the opportunity during the postponed Round 6 clash against Lille, delivering a standout performance that earned him two assists.

He showcased his versatility by providing an assist with a header and another with a beautifully executed through-ball, helping Stade de Reims secure an unexpected 2-1 victory against Lille.

This remarkable achievement marked his first-ever double assist in 108 Ligue 1 matches. Munetsi’s impact in the French league is undeniable, as he now boasts three assists for the season.

His impressive performance has propelled him to fifth place on the official Ligue 1 assists chart, a remarkable leap from his previous 45th position, especially considering the recent injury to the chart leader, Caio Henrique of AS Monaco.

Munetsi has already matched his total assists from the previous season after just six rounds, highlighting his growing influence in the league.

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.

The crucial second leg of the second preliminary round will be played at Orlando Stadium.
The Buccaneers head into this fixture at a slight disadvantage after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the away leg.

In the past week, Orlando Pirates have been in action twice domestically, narrowly losing both matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch respectively.

On the other side of the pitch, Jwaneng Galaxy is likely to be more well-rested, having enjoyed a 12-day break between fixtures.

Their Botswana Premier League title defence begins in October, and despite the disruption caused by the Caf Champions League preliminary rounds, they have shown no signs of rustiness, having advanced to this stage by doing enough in their home leg against Uganda’s Vipers, despite a defeat in the second leg.

Both teams are expected to make changes to their lineups for this upcoming clash. Jwaneng Galaxy may see the return of midfielder Dynamo Fredericks, who was sidelined in the first leg.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates might include veteran midfielder Thabang Monare, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, and striker Evidence Makgopa, who could make his Champions League debut.

In the visitors’ camp, a strong defensive effort will be crucial, with goalkeeper Ryan Brown playing a pivotal role as the last line of defence. Brown showcased his skills in the first leg by making vital saves to keep the Buccaneers at bay.

The offensive threat from right winger Daniel Msendami, who scored in the first leg, is expected to continue alongside Omaatla Kebatho and Thabang Sesinyi.

Kitso Mangolo’s energetic presence on the flank will further bolster Jwaneng’s attacking efforts.
Jwaneng Galaxy’s victory in the first leg was their first-ever win against Orlando Pirates in three attempts.

A similar result on Friday would not only propel them to the next round but also level the head-to-head results between the two teams.

In a previous encounter in the CAF Confederation Cup, Orlando Pirates emerged victorious over two legs, securing a 3-0 win in the away leg before closing out the tie with a 1-0 victory at the Orlando Stadium.

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.

This defeat was the first time Orlando Pirates had lost at home this season and their first league fixture since late August.

The game began at a slow pace, with both teams mainly focusing on ball possession in the midfield.
The first notable chance was a penalty awarded to Mamelodi Sundowns in the 9th minute after Siphelo Baloni fouled Themba Zwane inside the box. Lucas Ribeiro successfully converted the penalty to give the visitors the lead.

Orlando Pirates tried to equalize but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
Sundowns had a chance late in the first half when Zwane tested Orlando Pirates’ goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine.

The Buccaneers showed more determination in the second half, with Thabang Monare’s header from inside the box being one of their first real efforts at goal.

In the 62nd minute, Patrick Maswanganyi had a shot at goal that was parried by the Sundowns goalkeeper, but Zakhele Lepasa couldn’t convert the rebound.

Substitute Lesedi Kapinga had a free-kick opportunity in the 69th minute, but his effort was saved by the Sundowns goalkeeper.

In the dying moments of the game, Orlando Pirates made several attempts to equalize but were unsuccessful.

As a result of this defeat, Orlando Pirates dropped to 11th place in the league standings.

The former Bidvest Wits midfielder, has signed a contract for the remainder of the season with an option to renew at the end of the season.

“We welcome Ben into the team and trust that he will settle in well and make a good contribution in Pablo Franco’s side,” said club president, Sandile Zungu.

The club has also rubbished media rumours that have surfaced regarding Namibian left back, Riaan Hanamub as a wanted target by certain DStv clubs.

“The rumours about Hanamub are malicious. We have not been approached by any club regarding his services. He is not for sale,” said Zungu.