MTN8 final: Sundowns face disciplinary disadvantage against Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates go into Saturday’s MTN8 final with a considerably better disciplinary record than Mamelodi Sundowns, having received fewer than half as many yellow cards in domestic competition this season.

Pirates players have been cautioned 12 times in local matches, although two of those bookings were issued to Patrick Maswanganyi, who has since left the club.

That leaves the Bucs with 10 yellow cards across their 10 league and MTN8 matches. They were not booked in either of their games against AmaZulu and Kruger United.

Mthetheli Mthiyane and Simphiwe Masilela have each been cautioned twice. Kamogelo Sebelebele, Cemran Dansin, Neo Rapoo, Sbangani Zulu, Nkosikhona Ndaba and Yanela Mbuthuma have each received one yellow card.

In contrast, Sundowns have accumulated 26 bookings from 11 domestic matches.

According to Transfermarkt, 17 players in the Sundowns squad have been shown yellow cards this season. Grant Kekana has been booked three times and is one caution away from a suspension.

Seven Sundowns players have been cautioned twice: Teboho Mokoena, Tashreeq Matthews, Marcelo Allende, Malibongwe Khoza, Khulumani Ndamane, Bathusi Aubaas and Brayan Leon.

The figures suggest Sundowns are more likely to receive more bookings than Pirates in Saturday’s final, although the effect of the disciplinary positions will only become clear during the match and over the remainder of the season.

The two clubs are separated by fine margins, and suspensions could potentially become significant as the campaign progresses.

Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso has previously raised concerns about the frequency with which his players are booked compared with their competitors. His comments indicated that he believed his side had been treated unfairly by match officials.

The club have already seen assistant coach Fabio Fernandes sent off this season, while Steve Komphela has been booked once.

Fernandes was given a two-match suspension following his dismissal, but has now completed that ban and will return to the bench for Saturday’s final.

The MTN8 decider will therefore bring together a Pirates side with 10 relevant cautions from domestic competition and a Sundowns team whose players have already collected 26 yellow cards this season.