Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns name starting XIs for MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet for the season’s first piece of silverware when they contest the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

The two sides return to competitive football after a two-week break for the FIFA international window. Pirates last played when they eliminated Marumo Gallants, while Sundowns were held by Chippa United in the Betway Premiership.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h00.

Pirates had to wait until the closing stages of extra-time to overcome Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals. They then produced a convincing semi-final performance, defeating Sekhukhune United 4-0 on aggregate.

Sundowns also needed extra-time to progress from their quarter-final, eventually getting past Polokwane City. In the semi-finals, the African champions recovered from a first-leg defeat by Golden Arrows and qualified on the away-goal rule.

The teams are meeting again after last season’s MTN8 semi-final, when Pirates eliminated Sundowns on post-match penalties. That tie ended 1-1 after 180 minutes.

Their most recent cup final meeting came in the 2024 Nedbank Cup at Mbombela Stadium. Pirates secured victory with a decisive late goal.

Starting line-ups

Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Seema, Hotto, Sebelebele, Mbatha, Mokobodi, Selepe, Lungu, Moremi, Mbuthuma

Substitutes: Dladla, Zulu, Ndaba, Mthiyane, Masilela, Nkota, Kgositsile, Appollis, Makgopa

Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Khoza, Ndamane, Morena, Matuludi, Mokoena, Allende, Modiba, Santos, Matthews, Leon

Substitutes: Goss, Mvala, Lunga, Cele, Zwane, Ndlovu, Van Wyk, Mailula, Rayners