The stage is set for another enthralling MTN8 Final as Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC meet for the second year running. Last season, Pirates overpowered Stellies 3-1 to clinch their third straight MTN8 crown, but this time the underdogs arrive with renewed hunger and a refreshed squad. For Stellenbosch, it’s about revenge and rewriting history; for Pirates, it’s about reinforcing their legacy as South Africa’s cup kings.
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Orlando Pirates enter this final under the leadership of Abdeslam Ouaddou, who has recently returned from a car accident and is back in charge for the big game. This final could mark Ouaddou’s first major trophy with the club, which adds extra weight to the occasion. The squad, steeped in a winning culture with three straight MTN8 titles already, will rely on that championship mentality and experience in high-pressure matches.
In the league, Pirates have shown their pedigree: despite a slow start, they’ve steered momentum in their direction, correcting course and showing resilience in recent fixtures. Their ability to perform under stress, be it during penalty shoot-outs or clutch moments, gives them the mental edge.
For Stellenbosch, the MTN8 Final is an opportunity and a statement. Coached by Steve Barker, Stellies are no strangers to finals now, having made it to the MTN8 last year and again proving their quality by reaching this year’s final. They pulled off a 3-1 aggregate victory over Sekhukhune United to reach the final.
However, their league form has been mixed. Stellies have had difficult fixtures, matches against heavyweights like Sundowns, Chiefs, and Pirates, exposing gaps in both defence and consistency. Despite that, Barker’s side have been building: tweaking the squad, emphasising stronger starts to games, and attempting to shore up weaknesses that cost them last year. They’ve made strategic adjustments both in attack and defence in hopes of preventing repeats of past mistakes.
