A new season kicks off this Saturday with Orlando Pirates on display straight away as they kick off another MTN8 title defence with a highly-anticipated quarter-final fixture against Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium.
The two sides are not only raising the curtain to the new season, but provide a duel that could determine where the coveted piece of silverware – which has resided in the Bucs quarters for the past three years – ends up next.
Having provided a permanent home for the trophy in recent seasons, the Soweto Giants are more than determined to create even more history as the first side to lift it on four consecutive occasions.
A tricky assignment awaits them in the form of the Limpopo outfit with a point to prove after qualifying for the competition for the second consecutive occasion.
The Opposition
Arguably the biggest surprise package in the 2023/24 season, Rise and Shine had another strong campaign as they finished inside the top half of the league table for the second time in as many attempts since returning to the top-flight. A run of indifferent results robbed them of a higher finish in the standings, but they managed to place in seventh place, earning another spot in the MTN8.
In the competition’s previous edition, the Limpopo-based outfit were eliminated in the first round. It wasn’t for lack of trying as they took reigning league champions Mamelodi Sundowns all the way to extra time where a late own goal sealed their fate. They have had two previous attempts at the MTN8, going past the quarterfinals during the 2019 edition, while their debut in the competition yielded a first-round exit.
Their biggest opportunity for an upset in the competition awaits in the form of the defending champions, who are chasing an unprecedented fourth successive title.
Phuti Mohafe’s squad has been bolstered by a few arrivals in the form of attacking trio Keagile Malepe, Seketso Moremi, and Keorapetse Sebone, along with defender Mpho Mvundlela. All four were roped in from Pretoria Callies and could have their taste of action in the club’s colours on the big stage.
Bucs Team News
Pirates meanwhile head into their season opener having added an ex-Rise and Shine player in Oswin Appollis among their off-season signings. The winger is joined by a few more potential Bucs debutants ahead of the clash, with the likes of Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Yanela Mbuthuma and Sihle Nduli, with the club also kicking off the new season with a new leadership structure in the form of new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and recently-appointed skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The Buccaneers’ pre-season preparations included a return to the Spanish coast, where they faced English outfit Bolton Wanderers and Pafos from Cyprus, along with more familiar foes in Las Palmas and Granada, who they had locked horns with in their previous trips to Malaga.
These European excursions have usually been followed up by some silverware, but the Soweto Giants will know better than to rest on their laurels as they encounter a tricky proposition in the form of their quarter-final opponents.
Previous Results
Polokwane are one of a few outfits Pirates completed league doubles over in the previous season, claiming a 3-0 victory at Orlando Stadium before going back-to-back with a 1-0 win away from home.
The recent result made it three straight wins since the Limpopo outfit made its way back to the top flight. The Buccaneers have failed to get over the line once in this period, when Given Mashikinya’s second-half strike cancelled out Patrick Maswanganyi’s earlier goal to force a share of the spoils.
All these were in the league, and the two sides are set to lock horns in a cup fixture for the first time since Rise and Shine caused an upset in the last-eight of the Telkom Knockout back in 2017 where they prevailed on penalties. Pirates’ last and only cup win against Saturday’s opposition came in the first round of the same competition with goals from Thabo Qalinge and Issa Sarr giving them a 2-1 victory on home turf.
TV Coverage and Ticket Info
The match will kick off at 15:00, streaming live on SuperSport PSL (202) and SABC 1. Live updates will be provided across Orlando Pirates social media platforms throughout the game
Tickets to attend the fixture are sold out.
SOURCED FROM ORLANDO PIRATES WEBSITE.
