MTN8 semi-final line-up confirmed as Orlando Pirates chase fifth straight title

The MTN8 semi-final fixtures have been confirmed following the completion of the quarter-finals on Sunday evening, with defending champions Orlando Pirates set to face Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns drawn against Golden Arrows.

The Premier Soccer League will announce the dates and kick-off times for both matches in due course.

Pirates secured their place in the last four after overcoming ten-man Durban City 3-2 following extra-time on Saturday. The result kept their bid for a record-extending fifth successive MTN8 title on course.

The Buccaneers had to negotiate a difficult quarter-final before eventually claiming victory, with the match settled beyond the regulation 90 minutes. Their reward is a semi-final meeting with Sekhukhune United.

There will be no Soweto Derby in this year’s semi-finals, after Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated by Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday evening.

Golden Arrows’ victory completed the semi-final line-up and ensured they would meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the other last-four tie. The outcome also ended the possibility of a meeting between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the semi-final stage.

The competition’s remaining fixtures are therefore set as follows:

Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows

Pirates are the defending champions and will be aiming to extend their sequence of MTN8 triumphs to five consecutive titles. Their progress was secured in a quarter-final that required extra-time, while Golden Arrows advanced after their surprise win against Kaizer Chiefs.

The PSL is yet to confirm when the two semi-finals will be played. Dates and times will be released in due course, with the four remaining clubs now waiting for the official scheduling announcement.

The quarter-final stage began on Saturday with Pirates’ win over Durban City and concluded on Sunday evening with the result involving Kaizer Chiefs and Golden Arrows. Those outcomes have produced a semi-final programme featuring Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.

The next phase will determine which two sides reach the MTN8 final. For now, the confirmed pairings place Pirates against Sekhukhune United and Sundowns against Golden Arrows, while the prospect of a Soweto Derby has been removed from the semi-final equation by Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat.