Orlando Pirates aim to recover from MTN8 final loss against TS Galaxy

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’ hopes of winning a fifth successive MTN8 title were ended by a 2-0 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. They must now quickly regroup, with no time to dwell on the result before returning to league action.

Pirates are second in the table on 19 points, one behind leaders Sundowns, who have played one match more. They will take confidence from their record against TS Galaxy, having won seven of the clubs’ 12 meetings.

The Soweto side also enjoyed a perfect record against the Rockets last season, claiming a 2-0 home victory before recording a 6-0 win at Mbombela Stadium in March.

TS Galaxy, meanwhile, arrive with only one victory from their seven matches this season. However, they have collected five of their six points away from home and will be seeking another strong result on the road in Soweto.

Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi said the team needed to take encouragement from their display against Sundowns, despite falling short in the final.

“It is a difficult one to take, you know. 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 after the star player suffered an injury during the defeat by Sundowns. Gamphani Lungu is expected to replace him at right-back against TS Galaxy.

Lungu also endured a difficult final after missing a penalty, but said the squad had to respond positively and use the experience to improve.

“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.”