Sekhukhune United face Orlando Pirates test with MTN8 final place at stake

Sekhukhune United must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Orlando Pirates on Saturday to keep their MTN8 final hopes alive, despite suffering two defeats by the Buccaneers in the space of four days and losing head coach Cedric Kaze to suspension.

Babina Noko were beaten by Pirates in the first leg of their semi-final before suffering a second setback against the same opponents in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday. Orlando Pirates won that league meeting 2-0, leaving Sekhukhune with a difficult task in the decisive match at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Kaze will not be on the touchline after being sent off during Tuesday’s defeat. Assistant coach Paulus Masehe will take charge as Sekhukhune attempt to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the MTN8 final.

Despite the consecutive losses, there is still confidence within the Sekhukhune camp that the semi-final remains within their control. The team knows precisely what is required: a one-goal victory would send the tie to a penalty shootout, while a win by two or more goals would take Babina Noko through without the need for penalties.

Masehe therefore faces a delicate tactical challenge. Sekhukhune must show enough attacking intent to score the goals they need, but they will also have to guard against leaving space for Orlando Pirates to exploit on the counter-attack.

The two recent meetings could nevertheless offer useful preparation. Having faced Pirates twice in a matter of days, Sekhukhune’s players and coaching staff have had an opportunity to study their opponents’ approach and identify the areas that require improvement.

Former Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune midfielder Linda “Figo” Mntambo has gone as far as suggesting that Kaze’s absence may become a “blessing in disguise” for Babina Noko. Saturday’s match will provide the clearest test of that view.

With Orlando Pirates holding the advantage, the responsibility is now on Sekhukhune to take the initiative. They cannot afford another passive display, particularly in a knockout match where a single decisive moment could determine the outcome of their entire MTN8 campaign.

The pressure will be intensified by the memory of Tuesday’s defeat, but Sekhukhune must prevent that disappointment from affecting their performance. Their task is as much about resilience and character as it is about tactics.

They have 90 minutes to demonstrate that the two losses to Orlando Pirates, together with the absence of their head coach, have not disrupted their challenge. If they can finally find a goal against the Buccaneers after failing to score in their previous two meetings, the semi-final could change direction quickly.