Sundowns warned to shore up defence before Pirates MTN8 final

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Vuyo Mere has urged the club to resolve their defensive problems before facing Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Sundowns are expected to have greater squad depth than Pirates and will be favourites on paper, but Mere is concerned by the number of goals they have conceded this season. Malibongwe Khoza and Grant Kekana have been central to the defence, which will need to improve before the final.

The match, which kicks off at 6pm at a sold-out stadium, will be Sundowns’ first appearance in the MTN8 final since they lost to Pirates on penalties in 2023.

Sundowns’ attacking options include Brayan Leon, Cassius Mailula and Antonio van Wyk, while the club have also reached the second round of the Fifa Intercontinental Cup and currently lead the Betway Premiership standings.

However, their attacking strength has not prevented them from conceding regularly, making it difficult to secure comfortable victories.

“I have played for Mamelodi Sundowns, and it’s good to see the team doing well,” Mere told IOL Sport ahead of the final.

“But the only worrying factor is that they are conceding a lot of goals, and that’s something that we are not used to.

“They are a quality team that sets the standard high. So, when such things happen we think that they’ve lost form. Yes, they concede goals, but they outscore the team they are playing against.”

Mere issues Pirates warning

Mere believes Sundowns cannot afford to allow Pirates time and space to impose themselves, despite the Soweto club having a relatively young and largely new-look squad.

Pirates’ squad includes Mpho Padime, Thapelo Mkobodi and Mthetheleli Mthiyane, while their attacking threat means Sundowns will need to defend effectively from the opening whistle.

“I think it’s a worrying factor when you look at the team that they are playing against: Orlando Pirates, who have a lethal team,” Mere said.

“I think they need to work on their defence, though I know that they managed to do well against a quality team like Al Ahli (in the Fifa African-Asia-Pacific Cup). Even though they conceded, they scored and won. I hope that will restore confidence in the team. What a time to play this final.”

Sundowns could also be without left-back Aubrey Modiba and midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who picked up injuries while on recent international duty with Bafana Bafana. Their possible absence would add to the team’s defensive concerns.

The club’s first qualification for the tournament came in 2008, when it had been newly rebranded. Sundowns lost the final to Kaizer Chiefs that year and will now aim to claim the trophy by beating Pirates in Durban.