Underdogs Sekhukhune hunt first-leg advantage against MTN8 kings Pirates

Sekhukhune United will look to take a first-leg advantage when they host four-time defending champions Orlando Pirates in Saturday’s MTN8 semifinal tie at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT

CURRENT FORM

Babina Noko reached the last four with a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory over AmaZulu FC on August 9, but coach Cedric Kaze's side have shown mixed early form in the Betway Premiership.

Their league results include a 2-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs on August 12 and a 2-0 bounce-back win against Polokwane City on August 15.

Sekhukhune will treat this home fixture as a chance to upset the favourites.

Meanwhile, Pirates advanced after a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win over Durban City on August 8 and remained strong early in the Betway Premiership, topping the table with a 3-0 victory over Chippa United on August 16.

The Buccaneers are chasing a historic fifth consecutive MTN8 title and will be expected to control possession and create the majority of chances as they look to grab a crucial away win.

Sekhukhune are the only team in the #MTN8 semi-finals who have not won this competition before 👀

Is this their year?#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/OU0xz0lTbk
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 20, 2026

TEAM NEWS

Sekhukhune United have suffered a double blow: first-choice left-back Vuyo Letlapa and on-loan Orlando Pirates right-back Tsepo Mashiloane are both ruled out as key absentees ahead of the high-stakes first-leg clash against the Buccaneers.

Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, are expected to be without Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha due to knee injuries, while Sihle Nduli is also sidelined with a long-term injury, however, neither side has suspensions.

This will be the first of a brutal three-match trilogy between Sekhukhune and Pirates in just eight days—starting with the MTN8 semifinal first leg away at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, followed by a league clash in Soweto on August 25, and culminating in the decisive second leg back on August 29 as another Bucs home game.

The last time Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune faced off in the #MTN8, Pirates put five goals past Sekhukhune ⏪#SSDiski | #MTN8 pic.twitter.com/4jBdK0pVOh
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 20, 2026

WHAT WAS SAID?

Sekhukhune United Head Coach Cedric Kaze

“It was the third game in six days (against Polokwane City), and finishing it with a win is very important because we have a very busy week, and it was good to finish on a positive note," Kaze said.

"We will get some rest and recover and prepare well for the MTN8 semifinal. Yeah, it’s the kind of reaction we were waiting for, and it’s a (Limpopo) derby. It’s a good way to react and get back to the winning side of the league. The difference was in the attitude, in the belief we wanted to do something.”

Orlando Pirates Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou

"We just have to stick to our principles, our way of playing football. You know we are not too focused on the opponent even when we study the opponent. It’s important to give some input and information to the players," Ouaddou said.

"But a club like Pirates should focus on how they want to play, how they want to imbalance the opponent, how they want to build and how they want to defend. It’s only our principles that drive and guide us to win games. Whatever the opponent that we are going to play, of course, our analysts will give us some input, but our principles will stay the same."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tshepo Mokoena, Sekhukhune United: The diminutive winger has scored three goals in four matches and earned two Man of the Match awards this season. Mokoena will look to hurt Orlando Pirates with his dangerous wing play and clinical finishing.

Ghampani Lungu,Orlando Pirates: The Zambian winger has scored two goals this season, including the MTN8 quarterfinal winner and the opener against Chippa United. Lungu will look to torment Sekhukhune with his direct running and clinical finishing.

HEAD-TO-HEAD (since 2021/22)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2022/23 Nedbank Cup final Pirates 2-1 Sekhukhune Xoki (pen), Dzvukamanja; Vilakazi

2023/24 MTN8 qfinal Pirates 5-0 Sekhukhune Lepasa 3, Ndlondlo, Saleng

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

Sekhukhune 2 0 0 2 1 7

Pirates 2 2 0 0 7 1

ALL LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2021/22 Pirates 2-1 Sekhukhune Mntambo (pen), Dlamini; Parusnath