Orlando Pirates’ defence faces biggest test yet in MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates’ defensive strength will be put under its greatest pressure this season when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (6pm).

Pirates have conceded only one goal in seven league matches this season, while their total for the year stands at eight goals in 28 games.

Former Pirates defender Edward “Magents” Motale believes the team’s defensive record is largely the result of discipline instilled by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The Moroccan was a defender during his playing career and represented several leading European clubs, including Olympiacos and Fulham.

“Coach Ouaddou has instilled discipline in this team. With discipline, it’s very hard to concede. He was a defender in his playing days, so he hates conceding, and that has rubbed off on the players,” Motale told Sowetan yesterday.

“These days, Pirates defenders hardly get yellow cards, and that tells you how disciplined this team is.”

Motale also praised Pirates’ scouting department for identifying defenders who have fitted smoothly into the squad. He highlighted Lebone Seema and Sibangani Zulu as examples of the club’s successful recruitment.

“Look at Seema; he’s being brilliant, and when he was still at TS Galaxy, only a few people noticed him. He’s been paired with [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi [before he was sold to Chicago Fire last December], Sibisi and Zulu [who joined from Richards Bay before this season started] of late, but he’s hardly put a foot wrong,” Motale said.

“Zulu has hit the ground running… he’s done well playing with Seema at the heart of defence when Sibisi was absent. So, the way Pirates have scouted these players must also be applauded.”

Pirates won the league title for the first time in 14 years last season, and Motale believes their form at the back could help them retain it.

“If you don’t concede, you win a lot of games, so I really think this solid defence will help the club retain the league title,” he said. “It [being solid at the back] also gives confidence to strikers to do their job up front.”

Sundowns are the last side to defeat Pirates, winning 2-1 in a league match at FNB Stadium in February. The MTN8 final therefore provides a significant test of whether Pirates can maintain their defensive resilience against the team that most recently breached it.

The lowest number of goals conceded in PSL history at the end of a season is 11, achieved by Chiefs and Sundowns in 2003/04 and 2023/24.

Pirates conceded 12 in 2025/26, while Sundowns conceded 13 in 2022/23. Chiefs and Sundowns each conceded 14 in 2014/15, 2020/21 and 2024/25, with the latter figure achieved in the two latest seasons. Pirates’ previous best was 16 goals conceded in 2002/03.