Orlando Pirates ready for MTN8 final against Sundowns, says Jacobs

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rayaan Jacobs says the club’s preparations for Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns have covered every possible detail.

The Buccaneers will face Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00, as they seek to win the competition for a fifth successive season.

Pirates have reached the MTN8 final in each of the past five seasons and lifted the trophy in the previous four campaigns. Their latest appearance represents another opportunity to extend that outstanding run.

Sundowns, however, will be aiming to regain the title for the first time since 2021. They last won the competition that year after beating Cape Town City in the final.

Jacobs said Pirates were fully aware of the quality in the Sundowns squad but believed their work in the build-up to the match had left them ready for the challenge.

“As always, we take this trophy absolutely serious. We’re so privilege to be in this tournament and in the final for the 5th time consecutive season,” said Jacobs.

“We don’t take that lightly, there’s a lot of pride at stake. There’s a big opponent in front of us.”

Pirates go into the match as holders of both the MTN8 and the PSL, according to Jacobs, who said the team had benefited from two weeks of preparation while the Bafana players were away.

“But we come to this game as champions not only of the MTN8 but also of the PSL. With regards to the preparations, we’ve had a good two weeks of preparation.

“We had a good two weeks while Bafana boys were away. We did some hard work with the rest of the guys and we feel we’re fully prepared.”

The assistant coach is confident Pirates can retain the trophy if they reproduce the standards they have shown during their preparation.

“If we come here tomorrow and do our best, everybody performs the way they have been in the last two weeks, I think we will come home with the title.”

Jacobs added that the squad was looking forward to the occasion and insisted no aspect of their preparation had been neglected.

“We’re excited for the game and I guarantee you we’ve left no stones unturned.”