Makhaula Dismisses Sundowns Threat as Orlando Pirates Gear Up for Sold-Out MTN8 Final

 

Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula says the Buccaneers are ready for Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of their sold-out MTN8 final on Saturday.

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Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula has played down the threat posed by Mamelodi Sundowns as excitement builds ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated MTN8 final.

The two South African football giants will battle for the season's first major domestic cup on 10 October 2026, with the Premier Soccer League confirming that tickets for the showpiece have already sold out.

Makhaula's confidence comes as Pirates prepare to face a Sundowns side that has established itself as one of the dominant forces in South African football.

But the experienced Pirates midfielder believes the Buccaneers have enough quality to compete with their rivals and has backed the younger players in the squad to rise to the occasion.

Pirates prepare for another major test

The final arrives during an important period for Orlando Pirates, who are also defending their Betway Premiership title this season.

Pirates began the 2026/27 campaign as reigning league champions, while the MTN8 has provided another opportunity for the Soweto club to add silverware to its collection. The PSL scheduled this season's MTN8 final for 10 October as part of the official 2026/27 football calendar.

Makhaula's experience could be particularly important in a match expected to place considerable pressure on both teams.

Sundowns remain formidable opponents

Mamelodi Sundowns will enter the final determined to overcome Pirates and claim one of South African football's most prestigious knockout trophies.

The rivalry between the clubs has grown significantly as both teams continue competing for major domestic honours.

With the match already sold out, attention will now turn to the tactical battle between the two sides and whether Pirates can contain Sundowns while creating enough opportunities of their own.

Huge occasion for South African football

The final is expected to attract considerable national attention, with supporters of both clubs preparing for one of the biggest fixtures of the domestic season.

For Pirates, victory would reinforce their status as one of the country's leading cup teams. For Sundowns, lifting the trophy would provide another major achievement in their continuing pursuit of domestic dominance.

Either way, the sold-out encounter promises to deliver another major chapter in the growing rivalry between two of South Africa's most successful clubs.