MTN8 semi-finals three meetings in a week and tough tests for the finalists

The MTN8 quarter-finals delivered plenty of drama, goals and surprises, setting up two intriguing two-legged semi-final ties later this month.

The draw has kept Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns apart, raising the possibility of a blockbuster final between two of South Africa’s biggest clubs.

The semi-final first legs are scheduled for the weekend of August 22-23, with the return fixtures taking place on August 29-30. Here is a closer look at both ties.

Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune United

This could be an exhausting week for both clubs, with Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United set to face each other three times in the space of seven days.

The first MTN8 semi-final is expected to see Sekhukhune host Pirates on August 22, before the sides meet again in a league fixture in Orlando on August 25. The return leg of the MTN8 semi-final will then follow the next weekend.

Given the recent history between the two teams, neither side will be particularly pleased to see the other standing in their way.

Pirates will be especially wary of Sekhukhune, who have enjoyed an impressive record against the Buccaneers in recent meetings. Sekhukhune have won three of their last five encounters, including two victories away from home, while another match ended in a draw. Pirates have managed just one win during that run.

Only Mamelodi Sundowns have enjoyed a similarly strong record against Pirates over that period.

The Buccaneers still lead the overall head-to-head record, with six victories compared to Sekhukhune’s four, while the teams have drawn twice.

Pirates also have fond memories of their meeting in the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, where they secured a 2-1 victory in Pretoria. Several months later, they produced an even more emphatic result, thrashing Sekhukhune 5-0 in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

The Buccaneers also have a strong record in the latter stages of the competition. Pirates have not lost an MTN8 semi-final since 2012, progressing from all seven of their semi-final appearances since then.

Sekhukhune, meanwhile, have reached the last four only once previously. Their sole previous semi-final appearance came against Stellenbosch FC in 2025, when they were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Golden Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to put their recent struggles in the MTN8 behind them when they face Lamontville Golden Arrows over two legs.

Sundowns have endured a disappointing record in the competition in recent years, but the semi-final draw presents them with a strong opportunity to reach the final.

However, the Brazilians will not be able to take Golden Arrows lightly. The last three meetings between the teams have produced one victory apiece and a draw.

Sundowns have also struggled on their travels against Abafana Bes’thende. They are without a win in their last four visits to Golden Arrows, recording three draws and one defeat since 2021.

Their home record against Arrows tells a very different story. Sundowns have won their last seven meetings on home soil, scoring 26 goals in the process.

The two clubs last met in the MTN8 five years ago, when they also faced each other in the semi-finals. Sundowns drew 1-1 in Durban before securing a convincing 3-0 victory in Pretoria to reach the final, where they went on to lift the trophy.

Golden Arrows will be hoping to rewrite that history as they chase their first appearance in the MTN8 final since 2009. That year, they produced one of the most memorable victories in South African cup football, defeating Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in the final — still the biggest winning margin in a major South African cup final.

Sundowns have reached the semi-finals in each of the last four editions of the competition but have been eliminated at this stage three times during that run. They were also beaten by Pirates in the 2023 final.

Their most recent MTN8 triumph came in 2021 and remains one of only two victories in the competition during the PSL era. Overall, Sundowns have won the trophy four times, with their previous successes coming in 1988, 1990 and 2007.

With both semi-finals offering plenty of history, contrasting records and intriguing head-to-head battles, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in the MTN8.