Orlando Pirates target quick response after MTN8 final defeat

Orlando Pirates will attempt to put their MTN8 disappointment behind them when they host TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers lost 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, ending their hopes of winning the competition for a fifth successive season. They must now return to league action immediately, with little opportunity to recover from the setback.

Pirates sit second in the table on 19 points, one behind leaders Sundowns, who have played one match more. Their record against TS Galaxy should provide encouragement, with the Soweto club winning seven of the teams’ 12 meetings.

They also enjoyed complete control of the fixture last season. Pirates won the home meeting 2-0 before recording a much bigger victory away from home, beating TS Galaxy 6-0 at Mbombela Stadium in March.

The hosts will be looking to reproduce that form against a TS Galaxy side that has won only one of its seven matches this season.

Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi admitted the final loss would be difficult to overcome but said the performance could still provide a foundation for the matches ahead.

“It was a difficult one to take, very, very difficult. It’s going to be a very painful week for us,” Sibisi told the club media department.

“But we have to move on, we still have more games coming. I think we can still build from the performance. I think the boys left everything on the field, but it was just not meant to be.”

Pirates will be without Kamogelo Sebelele, who picked up an injury during the defeat by Sundowns. Gamphani Lungu is expected to step in at right-back against TS Galaxy.

Lungu missed a penalty in the MTN8 final but said the squad needed to assess the defeat and focus on improving.

“We did our best as a team, but we know there’s more we could have done. Football comes with wins and losses, and this is one of those moments to reflect, learn, and come back stronger,” Lungu wrote on social media.

“We take the lessons, keep our heads up and continue working.”

TS Galaxy will arrive in Soweto with confidence from their away record. The Rockets have collected five of their six points this season on the road, compared with one point from their home fixtures, and will aim to extend that stronger away form against Pirates.