Pirates eye fifth straight MTN8 title as they face Sekhukhune

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou didn’t mince his words ahead of the first leg of their MTN-8 semi-final against Sekhukhune United in Polokwane on Saturday.

Ouaddou declared that they want to defend their title, with the Buccaneers chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive MTN8 title.

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, says they will have to be very cautious against Golden Arrows when they host the KwaZulu-Natal side in Atteridgeville on Sunday.

Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United will meet three times in seven days.

The two teams’ Betway Premiership match scheduled for Tuesday is sandwitched between the first and second leg of their MTN8 semi-final clashP.

Playing a Sekhukhune that has been their hoodoo side, having beaten them in their last three meetings, will be a big challenge for Pirates.

But their coach is well aware of the danger, especially playing them on a compact pitch at the Old Peter Mokaba stadium. #MTN8 | #WafaWafa Sekhukhune United Orlando Pirates Saturday, 22 Aug | Build-up from 14:30 SABC 1 | Not available on OVHD Stream both games live on https://t.co/afggCu6HfA Listen on SABC Radio Stations Latest news and updates visit… pic.twitter.com/pyTLfk7Tkr — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) August 20, 2026 However, the Moroccan tactician isn’t too worried and says their focus is on defending their MTN8 title.

Ouaddou says,”The game will not be easy because we are playing away against a very good Sekhukhune we know all the games against Sekhukhune are very difficult especially when you play in a small pitch for us definitely we want to keep the title we know that we have two games we just want to focus now on MTN8.” On the other hand, Babina Noko lost 2-0 Kaizer Chiefs in their second Betway premiership match of the season after beating Durban City 1-NIL in their first match of the season.

Coach Cedric Kaze hopes his charges will replicate the performance they gave in their 2-0 win over Polokwane City on Saturday.

Sekhukhune says, “ The response was good against Polokwane City, and I hope that Saturday we gonna have a positive attitude to know when to take the game to the opponent. ” Sundowns are aiming to redeem themselves on the local front this season.

But the Brazilians haven’t had much success in the MTN-8 competition, only winning it once in the PSL era.

And playing a tricky Arrows side, they drew with at home and lost to away, will not be easy.

Cardoso says they will have to win their first leg on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe stadium so they’re comfortable in the second leg away from home.

Sundowns coach says, “ Golden arrows is a team that has quality, we will try our best to achieve a positive result and victory so that in the second leg away we are comfortable. ” Both matches will kick off at three o’clock.