MTN8 QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: DURBAN CITY

Orlando Pirates begin another title defence this Saturday when they host Durban City in the first MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando Amstel Arena.

Home for the second time in as many weeks this season, the Buccaneers host a City side back on the road after kicking off the campaign away from home. The fixture is a one-off opportunity for both teams to secure a spot in the last four, with the home side eager to extend their reign in the competition while their visitors look to add another piece of silverware to their budding collection.

The quest to Top-Eight glory starts with a stern test for both teams as they square up in a high-stakes encounter with survival in the competition awaiting the victor.

The Challenge Ahead

The two teams were on display over the past weekend, and were greeted by contrasting results on their return to league football. Pirates had the better of the two outcomes, producing a comfortable 2-0 win against Premiership newcomers Milford in Orlando on Saturday.

Their focus now quickly shifts to the defence of another trophy as they renew rivalries with a City side reeling from defeat in their season opener, where they fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Sekhukhune United.

The Durbanites will hope that the result in Polokwane was a one-off in the new season, following somewhat of a disappointing finish to a dream return to top flight football where they achieved a top-eight finish for the first time since the 2019/20 season and lifted their maiden Nedbank Cup title. Their cup triumph was however followed by a four-match winless run, which has since been extended to five games following their last outing.

A return to cup football could bring about renewed vigour, but they will have to navigate their trip to Soweto without midfielder Kyle Jurgens who is serving a one-match suspension after accumulating four yellow cards carried over from the previous campaign.

For Pirates, the competition has been a crucial part of their recent success having emerged victorious in each of the last four seasons. Another successful defence would see them move step closer to extending that record and lay down an early marker for the rest of the season.

They approach the fixture on the back of an unbeaten run stretching back to February, when they suffered a shock exit in the Nedbank Cup. It's a setback that served as a timely reminder of the unforgiving nature of cup football, where past achievements count for little once the action is underway.

Now facing a side with its own growing cup pedigree, the Buccaneers will be wary of the threat posed by an opponent that has proven capable of delivering when it matters most.

What Was Said

Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates): "We're looking forward to playing Durban City. We know it's going to be a difficult game, but I'm sure if we bring our A-game, we'll be able to get a positive result."

Siphamandla Ncanana (Durban City): "It's not going to be easy but that does not mean we're not capable. That alone is enough motivation."

Head-to-Head

Orlando Pirates and Durban City have met only a handful of times in knockout football, with Saturday's showdown set to be their first-ever MTN8 encounter. In each of their last three cup clashes, the Buccaneers have emerged victorious, eliminating the KwaZulu-Natal outfit - then known as Maritzburg United - twice in the Nedbank Cup with the other victory coming in the Telkom Knockout.

They have mostly crossed paths in league football where Pirates resumed their dominant spell when City returned to the top flight with a 2-0 victory away at Moses Mabhida Stadium, but could not complete a double as their fixture in Soweto finished in a stalemate.

Results in games between the two sides have mostly gone one way, with the Buccaneers winning 12 of the last 19 games played across competitions over the past decade. The KZN side meanwhile boasts just two victories during this period, with the other five games failing to produce a winner.

How to Watch

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1. Supporters can also stay updated with the action as it happens by following live coverage and match updates across Orlando Pirates' official social media platforms.

Tickets to attend the fixture are available only on OpenTickets.

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