Nie Cele
The much awaited MTN 8 final clash between Amazulu FC and Orlando Pirates is expected to be a humdinger match as the two sides chase gold medals, coveted trophy and an earth shattering R8 million prize money.
Moses Mabhida is expected to be packed to the rafters this evening following announcement tickets are sold out for this match involving two of the oldest teams in the country.
The last time the Amazulu and Pirates met in a cup final was back in 1994 when the competition was still known as BP Top 8 . Bucs won 2-1 and lifted the trophy.
Usuthu last appeared in a cup final in 2010 when they were humiliated by the now defunct Bidvest Wits 3-1 for the Nedbank Cup. While Bucs last played in a cup final in 2020 when they beat the now defunct Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the MTN8 cup final.
Soccer pundits have made their prognostic predictions giving Bucs a majority vote of winning this cup by virtue of its road to the final form which incuded a convincing 3-0 win against the current champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Amazulu reached the final by away goal rule after back to back 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in the first leg at FNB Stadium and a 0-0 at Moses Mabhida stadium respectively.
Others have warned that cup finals are different ball games.
“Everyone has equal chance to lift this trophy,” said one expert.”
KICK OFF FOR THE MATCH IS 18H00.
ACCORDING TO AMAZULU FC WEBSITE.
AmaZulu FC captain Makhehleni Makhaula is eager to make history when the team takes on Orlando Pirates on Saturday evening.
The two teams will go head to head in the 2022 MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium with R8 million in prize money and trophy at stake.
Makhaula is looking to become the first captain to win a major trophy with Usuthu in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era which began in 1996.
“This final means a lot to me and everyone at the club,” Makhaula, who won the 2018 Nedbank Cup with Free State Stars, said.
“I will be happy if I become the first captain to lift the cup with AmaZulu [in the PSL era] and I will be in the history books of the club and I hope more cups will come under my leadership as captain.”
“We can’t focus on them losing the derby. We are going to focus on us and all the things that we are going to do building up for this game.”
Pirates are coming into this encounter wounded having lost 1-0 to Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto Derby encounter which was played at FNB Stadium last weekend.
Makhaula, who is an influential central midfielder, stated that they cannot afford to underestimate a wounded Bucs side..
“Remember, they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 and Sundowns came back and won two matches in a row and scored eight goals,” the 32-year-old added.
“So, we cannot underestimate them. They might come and surprise us.
“But I have my plan which I will share with the guys, key points that I saw on Saturday when they played against Chiefs that we can use to our advantage.”
The match between AmaZulu and Pirates will kick-off at 18h00.
ADDITIONAL INFO SOURCED FROM AMAZULU WEBSITE.
