Just four teams remain as the semi-finals of the MTN8 get underway this weekend. Current DStv Premiership leaders and defending champions Masandawana travel to Orlando Stadium to take on the Buccaneers on Saturday, while the record winners Amakhosi will face an Usuthu side still searching for a maiden MTN8 trophy.
The R8 million prize is within touching distance, so all four teams will be hoping to swing the first leg ties in their favour.
Saturday 1 October
21/10 Orlando Pirates | Draw 21/10 | Mamelodi Sundowns 13/10 (15:30)
Despite this game being played at Orlando Stadium, Downs will head into the clash as firm favourites having won each of the last five meetings with the Buccaneers.
The most recent meeting came in December last year when the Brazilians ran out comprehensive 4-1 winners at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, while their last visit to Orlando Stadium saw them come out 2-0 victors, courtesy of a Peter Shalulile brace. Since joining Masandawana in the 2020/21 season, Shalulile has scored in every game against the Buccaneers, netting five goals in four games and already has six goals this term.
While that certainly doesn’t bode well for Jose Riveiro’s side, the Soweto giants will believe they have enough quality to get a positive result in front of their raucous home support.
The deadline day arrivals of Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Kermit Erasmus will also boost their confidence. However, Sundowns should still prove too strong for Pirates. Back the visitors at 13/10.
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Sunday 2 October
1/1 Kaizer Chiefs | Draw 21/10 | AmaZulu 3/1 (15:30)
After losing to Royal AM in the friendly Macufe Cup last Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs will turn their attention to the MTN8 where they meet AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi are the most successful team in the top eight tournament with 15 titles, while Usuthu have never won this competition before.
Chiefs last won the MTN8 in 2014, while AmaZulu’s trophy drought spans three decades since they clinched the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992.
These sides played out a goalless stalemate in their DStv Premiership clash at the beginning of the month in what was a third straight draw between the two sides. With both sides in stuttering form as of late, the draw should be backed here.
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DOUBLE @ 6/1
Sundowns Win 13/10
Chiefs vs AmaZulu Draw 21/10
