Jose Riveiro will look to be only the third coach in South Africa to successfully defend an MTN8 trophy when his Orlando Pirates team faces Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns
MTN8 Final
Saturday, 7 October – 18:00
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Pirates
With a winless run stretching back to the beginning of September, Jose Riveiro and Orlando Pirates are under some pressure at the moment and ahead of this massive encounter in Durban. Their winless run also includes a league defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at home, and most recently their disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League after losing 5-4 on penalties to Jwaneng Galaxy last Friday.
Their form in recent games has been a mixed one – scoring eight goals in this competition from three matches played, while netting seven times in the league after five games.
But recent form gets tossed out the window when it comes to cup finals, and this Pirates team will need to show that they want it more that their fierce rivals on the day. They are the defending champions, and will look to successfully retain the trophy for a second time having defended it in the 2010-11 season.
Without a doubt, Riveiro will be delighted to have the core of his squad back in full training after news that the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Kabelo Dlamini and Makhehlene Makhaula, amongst others, will be available for selection on Saturday.
In addition, you can expect the in-form Zakhele Lepasa and Patrick Maswanganyi to have a say in this match for the Sea Robbers. While the team may have been off track in recent weeks, Maswanganyi has been one to admire in that squad.
TO WIN MATCH
Orlando Pirates 2/1 | Draw 2/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 13/10
TO LIFT THE CUP
Orlando Pirates 2/1 | Draw 2/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 13/10
Sundowns
Ka Bo Yellow have blown away the South African football division this season, winning their first eight DStv Premiership matches to become the holders of the longest undefeated run in the league.
Rhulani Mokwena insists that the team is still on its way to reaching its level best, but they are without a defeat in the league in 32 matches and are favourites to snatch this trophy from current holders Orlando Pirates who will come here as slight underdogs given their recent form.
Sundowns also lead the DStv Premiership in the number of goals scored, defensive record as well as number of passes complete per game. All these attributes will definitely play to Sundowns’ advantage in the final on Saturday, and will be of concern to Jose Riveiro and Pirates who have had a tough time finding the back of the net in recent matches.
Also, the race is on for some of Sundowns’ injured players to pass late fitness test and possibly make the squad for this highly-anticipated clash of titans.
Lucas Ribeiro, who is emerging as a prominent figure for the Tshwane giants, will undergo a last-minute fitness evaluation. Thapelo Maseko’s availability is uncertain, whereas Lesiba Nku has made a full recovery.
Verdict: Sundowns To Lift the Cup – 13/20
The quality, the determination and the technical ability in the Sundowns squad will slightly edge that of Orlando Pirates across the full length of the game, in my opinion. They are flying high at the moment and Pirates are just another obstacle for them to overcome on their journey to a record-braking season.
I think this fixture comes during a time where Pirates are still recovering from a few setbacks which will take its toll on a few inexperienced names in the squad, and it comes against arguably Africa’s strongest football club at the moment.
