TICKETS UP FOR GRABS!!! FOR ORLANDO PIRATES VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MTN8 FIRST LEG SEMIFINAL MATCH COURTESY OF MTN, LEVERGY AND EGOLIJOZINEWS.
Nie Cele
Stadium Management SA, Managing Director Bertie Grobbelaar, appealed to the media to disseminate important messages to the public ahead of the upcoming sold out MTN8 much anticipated showdown between Pirates and Sundowns at Orlando Stadium this afternoon.
“ Selling and distribution of tickets is strictly prohibited. If you see somebody doing that, please report them.” He also warned there will be search points at the stadium.
“As usual parking in and around the stadium have been arranged, there is an early bird option, Klipspruit valley and a rugby field.”
Xolani Fihla of JMPD, said early arrivals will alleviate any traffic congestions.
“We are a expecting a number of supporters since it’s a sold out affair. This will have a serious impact on the day. But we have traffic management plan to make sure we alleviate any congestion before and after the game.”
BACK TO THE STORY!!!
Heavily criticised and under pressure Orlando Pirates tactician Abdeslam Ouaddou and his wounded troops will have to prove a point to their fan base their recent back to back slump at the hands of Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants respectively were just unlucky outings and nothing like lacking winning instincts they displayed during the 2024/25 season under their former mentor Jose Riveiro who has since joined Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
The Soweto giants are expected to face a well-oiled Tshwane giants, in a MTN8 Wafa Wafa first leg semi-final at a sold out clash in their backyard fortress Orlando Stadium.
Two hours later all eyes will be on another mouth-watering semi-final clash between Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United at Danie Craven Stadium in Cape Town.
Ahead of these clashes during the MTN8 media briefing coaches tactfully previewed their upcoming encounters.
Eric Tinkler told a packed media semi-final is a massive game and Stellies is a very good team that has surprised many in the past two years.
“ It won’t be an easy match. We have to be at our best to beat them. They are a team that defends extremely well and capitalise on mistakes you make. The way we are currently perfoming, we need to do it better.”
Bucs coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou told journalists it’s an exciting moment for players and the fans.
“Two of the best clubs in the continent will be hoping to give a good show. Very excited to play for all supporters in South Africa.”
Pressed further, he said, “It’s very important to understand the size of the club and what we want to achieve. We have a lot of new players and it is our duty to integrate them into the club.”
He also revealed most of the players are available except club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Evidence Makgopa and Olisa Ndah .
We have a big squad and talented players and everybody is important for us this season. We are going to bounce back. Pressure is everywhere when you train a big club.
However it has since been reported that Sibisi has recovered and Evidence Makgopa is also fit and ready to play, despite not featuring in recent matches.
Sundowns Gaffer, Miguel Cardoso, said
“These kind of matches have a special story that must be written. It’s a match when a first whistle is blown there is a story that is going to happen. It’s match that must be dealt properly in terms of emotions and focusing in right emotions.”
Cardoso also highlighted “It’s interesting to play such important matches so early in the season. This MTN8 cup brings high-level matches in a moment where teams are still developing and preparing for the season ahead. It will be important for us to hit the ground running in such a match. These kind of matches always have beautiful stories that will be written and that will be reliant on the moments that will happen in the game. It is a match that will need us to control certain emotions and focus on the right emotions that will lead us to a positive result.”
Pirates come from the back of two consecutive losses but this isn’t surety that it will be a walk in the park for the Pretoria-based side.
The coach also emphasised that the Sea Robbers’ past results will not matter on Saturday. “In recent times, the meetings between the two have become the most-watched and no surprise it is already sold-out. The head coach stated he anticipates a physically demanding encounter but the mandate remains to emerge the victorious side.
“It’ll be my first time meeting Pirates in a cup match, so past encounters between the two sides will not be a factor when we are preparing for this specific match. I will not dwell much in our previous meetings, the same way we will not focus on Pirates’ past two results. This is a totally different game that will have a story of its own and the team to walk away with a victory here will need to have showed their best performance on both legs. That’s what we hope to do – deliver an outstanding performance,” the coach said.
“To advance to the final round, we will need to play with an intention to be competitive so we can win duals, have the right spaces to play and cope with the aggression we going to suffer in. We are looking forward to this fixture,” he continued.
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