The Mighty Buccaneers are set to have a go at a record third consecutive MTN8 title on Saturday (18:00) when they lock horns with a fierce rival in Stellenbosch. 

Recently revered as the current ‘Cup Kings’ of South African football, the Soweto Giants are preparing to clinch a total fifth domestic cup title under Spanish coach Jose Riveiro. 

Upon his arrival in South African football, the so-called ‘Spanish Guitar’ attracted ample pressure and skepticism from local football critics due to his unpopularity in local football and his lack of title success in his previous coaching posts. 

Riverio has since proved his critics otherwise, leading his charges to win two consecutive MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles in just two seasons. The last time the club tasted such success was in the famous double treble 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons under coach Ruud Krol. 

“Pirates are unique in the way they do things but maybe the beauty of everything is being part of that technical team where Jose is the head coach. Without exaggerating, I still have to meet a person who works that hard,” explained Pirates assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi. 

In focusing on the Buccaneers’ MTN8 success in recent years, the Soweto club had already found their winning formula in this competition having conquered it in the 2020/21 season under the guidance of coach Joseph Zinnbauer. 

Since the inception of the competition (1972), which consists of the top eight PSL clubs from the previous season, the Buccaneers have managed to conquer the competition a total of 12 times, only second to arch-rivals, Kaizer Chiefs who sit with a staggering 15 titles. 

Under the current sponsorship (MTN) the Buccaneers have reached seven finals, with six of them being held at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium that is set to host their 10th against Stellenbosch. Pirates have only failed to win one of the six finals held at Mabhida, losing 3-1 to Platinum Stars on penalties in 2013. 

Despite Durban’s success, The Buccaneers will be wary of the threat posed by their upcoming opponents in Stellenbosch, especially in cup competitions. Although having been knocked out due to the away goals rule, Stellies is the only club to have beaten Pirates in cup competition after a 1-0 victory at Orlando Stadium in the 2023/24 MTN8 semi-final.

“I think this will be one of the most difficult finals, most difficult matches that we have ever played based on how  Stellenbosch plays and sets up,” said the former Golden Arrows coach. 

The recently revived Cape Winelands club comes into this fixture pumped in motivation having knocked out what is arguably the most dangerous team in the country, MamelodiSundowns, beating them 1-0 in both home and away matches. 

“I think it’s two deserving teams that are playing the final currently. One can not ignore the success at Stellenbosch with their development team’s doing well, winning two MDC titles, going overseas, and promoting players at the rate that no other team has done,” said Ncikazi, in the last press conference building up to the final. 

In terms of head-to-head performance, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has proved to be one of the few coaches who give the Spanish gaffer a serious headache. In the last five fixtures in all competitions, Pirates have only managed to beat Stellenbosch once.   

The former Pirates head coach further complimented Stellies in saying, “Sometimes we can analyze to the best of our ability on how they play, but they will still be okay that way. Knowing it does not necessarily mean that you can stop it because sometimes it’s not just tactics, it shares physical qualities of how fast and quick they can run.” 

However, Riveiro is expected to have his guns set on the day, with his team consisting of national team assets in the reigning PSL player’s player of the season, Patrick Maswanganyi, young player of the season, Relebohile Mofokeng. 

Perhaps the most critical but doubtful figure for Pirates would be the man who has pulled the team out of the mud multiple times in Monnapule Saleng. 

If available, the 26-year-old will be looking to add to his impressive goal tally this season, having already registered four goals in all competitions, and proving to be lethal for Pirates in scoring last-minute winners in the team’s most desperate times. 

A possibly interesting twist could be the fact that the Pirates winger’s availability is yet to be confirmed for Saturday after he picked up an injury against Polokwane City and missed their last game.