The Mighty Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has a scintillating first game with Orlando Pirates and praises the headache of choice of players to field in his team. Photo: Supplied

news.reporter1959@gmail.com

Orlando Pirates began its fourth successive defence of the MTN8 trophy with a sleek 2-0 performance against Polokwane City to advance to the semis of the cup tournament where there is Mount Kilimanjaro to climb in form of Mamelodi Sundowns.

If this performance is anything to go by against the Polokwane side, the Buccaneers will be a force to be reckoned with this time around in both the soon to open Betway Premiership that kicks off on August 9 and the ongoing MTN8 which could see the
side possibly lifting it for a historic fifth consecutive time.

But before they can do that, the Sea Robbers, as Pirates also known to their avid followers, will have to deal with the big elephant in the room in the form of the team of the decade, Mamelodi Sundowns, which has dominated the premiership for the past decade and winning it successively for the past eight years.

The Buccaneers have drawn Masandawana for their semi-final game of the MTN8 on a date, venue and time still yet to be determined by the Premier Soccer League in partnership with the sponsors, MTN. The other semis game is Stellenbosch up against a rejuvenated Sekhukhune United.

The ‘Yellow Machine’, as Sundowns is known for its free scoring abilities as it put four goals past a hapless Richards Bay that never even replied, has a date with destiny as this cup tournament has off late become its voodoo trophy.

On the other hand, the Bucs will be banking on their newly acquired sensational striker Oswin Appollis from Rise and Shine, as Polokwane City are known, almost single-handedly destroyed his former club. Appollis scored a sensational goal to put his side 1-0 up. Troublesome as he was on the day, Appollis was on his way for a brace when he tripped inside the box and the referee never hesitated in pointing to the spot.

The penalty kick was however taken by his teammate, who made no mistake and slotted the ball and rattled the back of the net, giving the Buccaneers a 2-0 lead into the oranges break – a scoreline that was defended to the hilt by the Mighty Buccaneers and as predicted by former fantastic Skipper Lucky Lekgwathi.

It remains to be seen whether Masandawana will be able to deal with this new nuisance that has rejuvenated the Bucs and put it on a whole new pedestal for the upcoming 2025/26 season of the Betway Premiership that could turn the tables on the dominance of the ‘Brazilians’, as the Sundowns outfit are better known for their shoe shine and piano football that resembles that of the Brazilian national team.

Former Pirates captain believes Buccaneers will prove too strong for Polokwane Former Orlando Pirates Skipper Lucky Lekgwathi predicts Orlando Pirates to win 2-0 against Polokwane City in the MTN 8 quarterfinal at the sold-out Orlando Stadium last Saturday [August 2].
 
Lekgwathi was proven right and indeed Pirates went on to win the game 2-0 and confirmed longstanding fears that there are very few football stadiums around the country that are as intimidating for an away team as Orlando Pirates’ iconic Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.
 
The design of the stadium and the way it captures the loud cheers of the Buccaneer fans can easily derail an opposition team. This is what Polokwane City will be up against on Saturday when they take on Orlando Pirates in the MTN 8 quarterfinals.
 
On the pitch, Polokwane City will be up against a side that has won the trophy four times in the last five seasons, with three of those trophies coming in the last three seasons.
 
In an exclusive interview with SportsBom.co.za, former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi believes that Orlando Pirates will walk away with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.

 
Because this will be the first game of the season for the Buccaneers and their fans at Orlando Stadium, Lekgwathi believes that the stars are aligning for Orlando Pirates to put on a dominant performance.
 
However, the 48-year-old understands that Polokwane City will be up for the challenge given that they have beaten Pirates twice and drawn eight times in 20 fixtures.
 
“Look, this is not going to be an easy game. It’s going to be a tough game. Who’s winning it? I’ll give it to Orlando Pirates as the defending champions,” predicted Lekgwathi in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za.
 
“Playing at home, they won’t want to disappoint their supporters. It’s the first game of the season, everyone wants to prove a point, and winning the MTN 8 gives you the opportunity to challenge for another piece of silverware.”
 
“You win the MTN 8, then you have the opportunity to win the league, then the Nedbank Cup later on in the season. So, this one I’m giving to Orlando Pirates 2-0.”
 
The change of guard at Pirates going into the new season, there have been multiple changes in the Orlando Pirates camp with new player signings, including that of the Gqeberha-born Sinoxolo Kwayiba.
 
Read: Exclusive with new Pirates signing Sinoxolo Kwayiba
 
Perhaps the more groundbreaking changes have been that of the departure of Jose Riveiro, who has won multiple trophies at Orlando Pirates over the last few years, with Abdeslam Ouaddou being announced as his successor.
 
Also, in the leadership positions, Nkosinathi Sibisi is set to captain while teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been announced as vice-captain.
 

Mbokazi’s appointment sent the country into a frenzy due to the excitement factor that comes with the talented youngster in terms of skill and the composure he possesses in high-pressure situations.
 
Lekgwathi reckons the appointments of Sibisi and Mbokazi are warranted as Pirates begin what is a new chapter this season.
 
“If you recall, in 2003, who was the youngest captain ever to captain Orlando Pirates? It was Mbulelo Mabizela, and he went on to win the league. So, why not Mbokazi? Looking at the way he plays, he is a fighter. Yes, he’s young and he still has a lot to learn, but sometimes as a youngster you must take responsibility,” Lekgwathi told SportsBoom.co.za.
 
“They gave him the opportunity to lead the team; he must just grab it with both hands. Players must make sure they support him because, inside the field, all players are captains.”
 
“The only difference is that the final decision is going to come from the guy who wears the captain’s armband. I just want to wish both captain and vice-captain good luck.”
 
Checkout also: https://www.sportsboom.co.za/soccer/exclusive-lucky-
lekgwathi-banks-on-orlando-pirates-20-victory-over-polokwane-city