Harris Choeu backs Sundowns’ experience to overcome Pirates in MTN8 final

Mamelodi Sundowns legend Harris Choeu believes experience will give the Brazilians the edge when they meet Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The former Orlando Pirates assistant coach expects Sundowns to draw on their greater familiarity with major matches and defeat the in-form Buccaneers in Durban.

Choeu, who is known as ‘TV4’, said he had no doubts about the outcome and predicted that Sundowns would lift the trophy.

“I’m not nervous at all about the final; I see us winning the cup. Pirates are playing very well, but we will know where and when to penetrate them. This game is going to be decided by intelligence and experience,” he told KickOff.

The assessment comes despite Choeu’s acknowledgement that Pirates possess players capable of producing moments of individual quality beyond the instructions they receive from their coach.

He believes Sundowns’ senior players will be needed to limit that threat, particularly because he feels the Buccaneers have increasingly relied on their own decision-making during their recent run of results.

“I know they’ve got a couple of boys who are very clever and who can do what they were not coached in a blink of an eye. Pirates players are not relying on the coach that much; they are doing their own thing,” Choeu said.

“Yes, their coach is contributing, but the players are using more of their intelligence to win games. That’s why we need our experienced players against them,” he added.

Choeu sees gap between the two sides

Although Choeu accepts that Pirates have made significant progress, he does not believe they have yet reached Sundowns’ level.

The former Pirates assistant coach suggested the Buccaneers may need another two years to close the gap, while warning that they could become a formidable force if they retain their leading players.

“Pirates are almost there, but not yet. It will take Pirates two years to reach Sundowns’ level. Maybe in two years they will, but that’s if they keep their best players this time around. I’m telling you, they will be unstoppable,” he concluded.

Saturday’s final will begin at 18:00.