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Pirates Aims For Historic MTN8 Feat

  • October 1, 2024
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Pirates Aims For Historic MTN8 Feat

Orlando Pirates seeks to etch their name in South African football history by winning an unprecedented third consecutive MTN8 trophy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates’ versatile player, Deon Hotto, expressed his belief that achieving this feat would be something they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

The Soweto Giants have become the cup kings in the PSL in recent seasons, having won four cup competitions in the past two years. They are now poised to add a fifth under the guidance of coach Jose Riveiro.

Standing in their way is Stellenbosch FC, who have proven to be a formidable opponent and will be at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. In the past two seasons, Pirates has defeated both AmaZulu and Mamelodi Sundowns at this venue.

“It would be something truly amazing,” said Hotto when asked about the prospect of winning the MTN8 for a third time in a row. “I don’t think any other club has achieved that, if I’m not mistaken. It’s something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. We definitely need to win this one. But to do that, we need to stay focused.”

Pirates face a formidable challenge in Stellenbosch, who defeated them three times last season, both in the Betway Premiership and the MTN8 semi-final. However, Pirates advanced to the MTN8 final due to the away goals rule.

Stellies reached this year’s final by convincingly defeating Sundowns in both legs of the semi-finals.

“Stellies is a very difficult team to break down because they have speed as well,” warned Hotto. 

“We just need to be on our toes and our minds must be in the game because they have a good team.”  

Hotto, not only he knows the sweet taste of winning this competition three times in his career with Pirates, but also the sweet taste of scoring in the final.  

He scored the equalizer when Pirates won this trophy in the 2020/21 season against Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1, cancelling out the goal by Siphelele Luthuli before Thembinkosi Lorch scored the winning penalty at the very same venue in Durban behind closed doors due to Covid-19.  

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