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MTN8: Orlando Pirates v SuperSport, Stellies v TS Galaxy – kick-off time, betting odds, players to watch, how to watch & more!

The exciting and even more lucrative MTN8 is set to kick off the Premier Soccer League (PSL) season this weekend, with two mouth-watering quarter-final fixtures on offer for football fans.
Sead Ramovic, head coach of TS Galaxy, Peter Hyballa, coach of Sekhukhune United, Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates, Phuti Mohafe, coach of Polokwane City, Steve Barker, head coach of Stellenbosch FC, Gavin Hunt, head coach of Supersport United, Manqoba Mngqithi , coach of Mamelodi Sundowns and Eric Tinkler, head coach of Cape Town City during the 2024 MTN8 Launch at the SABC Studios, Auckland Park on the 31 July 2024.
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The exciting and even more lucrative MTN8 is set to kick off the Premier Soccer League (PSL) season this weekend, with two mouth-watering quarter-final fixtures on offer for football fans.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The MTN8 returns with more money after the league confirmed a prize money increase across the board during this year’s tournament launch on Wednesday.

Tournament winners will take home the coveted trophy and a sum of R10 million, compared to the previous R8 million which has been the main prize over the past 16 years.

Also, the other seven participants will now get a consolation of R1 million each after an increase of R200 000.

Teams in the running this year are defending champions Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC, Sekhukhune United, Cape Town City, TS Galaxy, SuperSport United and Polokwane City.

Defending champs Pirates seek dominance in MTN8, SuperSport stand in their way

The past four editions of the MTN8 have seen the Sea Robbers enjoying impressive dominance, having won it three times.

Pirates took the top honours in 2020, only missing out in 2021 when Mamelodi Sundowns won it for the first time since 2007.

After that, the Soweto giants won it back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 where they beat AmaZulu FC and Sundowns, respectively.

The Jose Riveiro-coached side is eager to make it three consecutive titles and become the first side to achieve this feat in the history of the competition.

However, standing in their way is an unpredictable SuperSport in the opening quarter-final match at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 18:00.

The match promises to be a humdinger with both sides bolstering their squad with astute signings during the off-season and look to be strong competitors in the new campaign.

Pirates’ new stars Gilberto, Selaelo Rasebotja, from SuperSport, Thuso Moleleki and others have featured for the Sea Robbers during the pre-season friendlies and appeared to fit in well, and Riveiro is likely to unleash some of his newly-acquired stars on Saturday.

The Gavin Hunt-led Spartans added Vincent Pule from Pirates, Pogiso Sanoka, Nyiko Mobbie and others to replace Shandre Campbell, Kegan Johannes and Rasebotja who all have left for greener pastures.

The Tshwane side might have not done well in the past couple of seasons in knockout tournaments, but they remain dangerous, and Hunt is one ambitious coach who hasn’t hidden the desire to add more trophies to his cabinet.

How to watch?

You can watch all the action on SuperSport PSL (Channel 202). The broadcast will include a build-up, with in-studio expert analysis from 17:30.

Betting odds

While SuperSport are expected to put up a good fight and stage an early upset by knocking out the defending champions, Pirates are the favourites to win the match at Orlando Stadium.

9/10 Pirates | Draw 22/10 | SuperSport 28/10

Orlando Stadium

The venue is found in the popular Soweto township in Johannesburg and is entrenched in the history of South African football.

In the past season, the Buccaneers enjoyed great support at the venue, which has a capacity of 37 000 and it won’t be any different on Saturday. SuperSport will be outnumbered in the stands.

The world-class facility has not only hosted football matches as in 2010 it staged the Super Rugby final between the Bulls and Stormers.

Last meeting

The last meeting between the sides was their final outing in the league last season and it ended in a one-all draw. Tshegofatso Mabasa opened the scoring for Pirates while youngster Gape Morale equalised for the visitors at Orlando Stadium.

Head-to-head

The last five outings between the Gauteng teams have seen SuperSport claim two wins, one for Pirates and the other two ended in draws.

Players to watch

Pirates boast some of the most exciting players in their arsenal in the league. Their supporters will be eager to see the new boy and skilful winger Gilberto in action.

Last season’s league top goal scorer Mabasa, Players’ Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Season Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Monnapule Saleng remain the Sea Robbers’ dangermen.

For SuperSport, Pule will be the player to keep an eye on as coach Hunt and skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo have been raving about how good he has been during pre-season.

The dangerous winger might have a point to prove against his former club.

Lee Raoul Langeveldt of Stellenbosch FC with Mlungisi Mbunjana of TS Galaxy during the 2024 MTN8 Launch at the SABC Studios, Auckland Park on the 31 July 2024.
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Stellies entertain TS Galaxy in the Cape Winelands

The second quarter-final is at the Danie Craven Stadium when coach Steve Barker’s Maroons welcome the boys from Mpumalanga province, TS Galaxy on Sunday at 15:00.

This is an interesting battle between two teams on the upward trajectory in the PSL.

While Stellies have become a regular in the MTN8, this will be the first time The Rockets feature in the competition.

The two clubs took part in the Carling Knockout final last season, with Stellies getting the better of Sead Ramovic’s Galaxy to lift the trophy.

They are both ambitious clubs and will be eager to see their name in the draw for the semi-finals. Expects fireworks!

How to watch?

The match will also be shown live on SuperSport PSL with the build-up starting at 14:30.

Betting odds

1/1 Stellenbosch | Draw 21/10 | TS Galaxy 5/2

Danie Craven Stadium

This is traditionally a rugby venue but with the formation of Stellenbosch FC in 2016, it has hosted a lot of football matches.

The stadium, named after former Springbok player turned rugby administrator Danie Craven, belongs to Stellenbosch University and is a 16-thousand seater.

Last meeting

Stellies were the victors in the last meeting between the two teams in the league in the previous season. The match at Mbombela Stadium ended with a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the away side, thanks to goals by Fawaaz Basadien and Andre de Jong.

Head-to-head

Galaxy have failed to beat Stellies in their last five outings against each other. Four of the last five matches have been won by this weekend’s hosts while one clash ended in a draw.

Players to watch

The two teams boast strong goal poachers in Iqraam Rayners for the hosts and Samir Nurkovic for The Rockets. Without a doubt, they will be players to watch in the fixture.

Stellies newbies Sanele Barns and Lehlohonolo Mojela, who comes from Galaxy, will be exciting too if they get a chance. Otherwise, there are tried and tested soldiers such as Jayden Adams Galaxy must watch out for.

Puso Dithejane was one of the key players for Galaxy last season and has been on fine form during the pre-season.

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