Clash of the Titans: Mamelodi Sundowns face-off with Orlando Pirates as MTN8 semi-final fixtures confirmed
Orlando Pirates, defending MTN8 champions, face a tough semi-final challenge against dominant league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who thumped Richards Bay 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePixc
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePixc
Although Orlando Pirates got their season off to the perfect start with a 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in their MTN8 quarterfinal over the weekend, it was not all good news.
The bad news for Pirates is that they will now have to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-final of the competition.
Though Pirates are defending champions in the competition, there’s little doubt they would have preferred to avoid the league champions in their pursuit of more cup glory.
In fact, Sundowns were the most convincing victors in the first round of the MTN8 as they ran out 4-0 winners over a hapless Richards Bay over the weekend.
Sundowns Dominate Richards Bay with 4-0 Victory
Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring in the 10th minute, before Simphiwe Mcineka scored an own goal for Richards Bay to send his side into the break at 2-0 down.
Rayners completed his brace with the second stanza in its infancy, before Siyabonga Mabena made it four with just under a quarter of an hour remaining to seal the comprehensive scoreline.
It was a completely dominant display from Sundowns as they boasted a whopping 76% possession.
It was a reminder why Sundowns are the dominant force in South African football, as their eight league titles in a row indicate.
The other two fixtures both ended in 3-2 score lines with Sekhukhune United beating TS Galaxy and Stellebosch FC against AmaZulu.
The dates for the fixtures will be confirmed at a later stage.
MTN8 semi-final fixtures:
Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns
Stellenbosch FC v Sekhukhune United