Semake: Sundowns must not match Pirates’ pace in MTN8 final

Mamelodi Sundowns would be making a mistake by trying to match Orlando Pirates’ intensity in Saturday’s MTN8 final, according to former defender Dan Semake.

The two sides meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the first domestic cup final of the season, with Semake urging Sundowns to rely on their experience rather than becoming involved in a high-tempo contest.

“The MTN8 final won’t be easy, especially for Sundowns. If Sundowns would want to match Pirates with the pace, they would be making a mistake, because I think Pirates have young players and they are energetic, they want to prove a point,” Semake told KickOff.

His advice is for The Brazilians to remain faithful to the style that has brought them success, rather than attempting to compete directly with the energy of the Buccaneers’ younger squad.

“So Sundowns must just use their experience to win the final. They must just play the game they are used to. I mean Sundowns has vast experience in these types of games,” he said.

Semake expects Orlando Pirates to start aggressively as their younger players look to establish themselves, a factor he believes could make the occasion particularly demanding for Sundowns.

“Obviously Pirates will come hard on Sundowns, because of these young boys who are still trying to make a name for themselves. It will be difficult, especially for Sundowns,” he added.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns academy graduate also questioned whether the club’s comparatively modest record in domestic cup competitions has always reflected a lack of interest.

Sundowns have performed strongly in the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League and international matches, but Semake said the club’s priorities may have been focused elsewhere.

“I’m not sure that it’s because they were unlucky. I’m sure I would sound funny, but I think they were not interested that much in domestic cups,” he said.

“The main target and mandate is the league. I’m not sure, maybe I’m making a mistake, but Sundowns’ mandate is the league and continental trophies.”

Despite that view, Semake believes this final could carry added importance for Sundowns after Orlando Pirates won the league last season.

He said the reigning champions would be motivated to demonstrate that they are capable of winning domestic silverware when they choose to make it a priority.

“They’ve shown me that they are not that interested [in domestic cups], but on this one, Sundowns will want to prove a point that ‘we can take it if we want’, especially after Pirates won the league last season. So they would want to prove that point,” Semake added.