Riveiro and Barker target MTN8 final

Jose Riveiro and Steve Barker have prioritised making the MTN8 final this weekend, with Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC set to complete their semifinal, second-leg clash at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

MATCH BACKGROUND:

In the first leg, which was played on 3 September at the Athlone Stadium, the Buccaneers managed to secure a dramatic 2-1 win over the Cape Winelands side.

While Ismael Toure gave Stellies the lead on the stroke of halftime, Zakhele drew one back for the visitors shortly after the hour mark, while a 94th-minute effort by Deon Hotto saw Pirates take a slight advantage going into the second leg.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

As far as the head-to-head count is concerned, it’s Pirates who hold the advantage over their Western Cape counterparts.

In the last five meetings in all competitions played, Bucs managed to record three victories, which included a resounding 4-1 win on 22 January 2023, with Thabang Monare, Innocent Maela, Kermit Erasmus and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo getting their names on the scoresheet at the Orlando Stadium.

Stellies bagged a 1-0 win over Pirates in the first meeting between the two sides in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership campaign as Antonio van Wyk’s solitary strike separated the two sides at the Danie Craven Stadium.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

ORLANDO PIRATES:

Zakhele Lepasa: The attacker has been one of Pirates' best players this season and showcased his best performances in the MTN8 this season. With four goals in two games played in the tournament, Lepasa will no doubt be the go-to man on attack for his side this weekend.

STELLENBOSCH:

Iqraam Rayners: Much like Lepasa, Rayners has been a talismanic figure for Stellenbosch this season yet again. With seven goals in 13 matches across the board in the 23/24 campaign, Rayners has proven himself to be one of the best attackers in the PSL currently.

WHAT THEY SAID...

With the tie in mind, Riveiro lauded his side’s personality in their comeback victory over Stellenbosch in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal fixture.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to get back on the winning track. We have advantage but we know what’s coming from Stellenbosch,” Riveiro said.

“We are leading 2-1 but we know Stellenbosch very well. We are ready to offer a good fight and for sure we are going to get a good result.

“Its a huge opportunity for us to find ourselves in a final and we are defending the title, we know about the importance of the game.

“In the beginning [first leg], we were not good enough, I think we showed huge personality. It’s not easy to perform in the way we did in the first half and come back with all the problems that we faced.

“It tells a lot about the personality of our players, the preparation of our players and we just have to continue the same way on Sunday."

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker concurred with Riveiro’s comments about reaching the MTN8 final and at the same time, urged his side to be more clinical in the final third.

“We’ve got a match again on Sunday, so we need to get over this as quickly as possible, get our heads up because there’s a massive opportunity to get into the final of a major trophy.

“We have to find solutions collectively. There’s no fault in the way the players try, the way they play and their commitment. Maybe we just need a little bit better execution on the field and better decision-making.

“Once we can do that and we start getting goals again, I’m sure we can build momentum because we have the capability of going on long stretches of winning matches in a row.

"But right now, we just have to regroup, forget about this one and focus on the weekend’s match.”

PLAYERS WHO MOVED ACROSS THE TWO TEAMS

Nkanyiso Zungu and Lepasa have been notable transfers over the years, while there has been little business between the two clubs in recent years.

In the 19/20 season, Zungu joined the Soweto giants from Stellenbosch, while Lepasa arrived at Stellenbosch on loan for the 18/19 campaign.