Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou comes face-to-face with his nemesis side of Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Miquel Cardoso. Photos: Sipho Siso

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The stage has been set for an epic battle of the MTN8 first leg semi-final between bitter rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at the intimidating Orlando Stadium on August 16.

This will be the first time the two giants meet this season after the previous season encounters ended 2-1 in favour of the Bucs at Orlando Stadium and the other 4-1 in favour of the Yellow Machine at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Overall, Sundowns have tended to dominate Pirates in the past decade but judging Masandawana from the way it played without their Brazilian star midfielder Lucas Ribeiro Costa against Chippa United in the 2025/26 season opener last weekend, the Yellow Machine could be in trouble against the Bucs this coming Saturday.

While Sundowns managed a share of the spoils in the Chippa game, the Buccaneers on the other had a dismal 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United in their league opener. But the Ghosts normally rise to the occasion in big magnitude matches and Saturday may not be any different.

While the Mighty Buccaneers tend to rise in big temperament games, Masandawana is known to fumble when it matters most, as they did in the Caf Champions League final in Cairo, Egypt, against Pyramids FC as it has done against other sides in the same competition for the past decade.

Football fundis think Masandawana may fumble again in this MTN8 cup competition, especially at the Buccaneers fortress Orlando Stadium. In the absence of midfield kingpin Ribeiro, fundis say the Yellow Machine may struggle to find their rhythm and footing on Saturday.

“It must also be taken into account that the MTN8 trophy is some how the voodoo cup for Sundowns as it has struggled in it for many years, going far back to the glory days of former coach Pitso Mosimane and later Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as well,” the fundi noted.

But despite the pros and cons of both sides in the current league showings, the fundis believe lovers of the beautiful game can expect fireworks come Saturday.