The wait is over — South African football is back in full swing, and the 2025/26 season opens with a blockbuster MTN8 quarterfinal clash between Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium.
The defending champions, Pirates, are eyeing an unprecedented fourth consecutive MTN8 crown, but this time they’ll be doing it without Jose Riveiro at the helm. It’s a fresh chapter for the Buccaneers, who now carry the pressure of legacy — and expectation.
Across the pitch stands Polokwane City, unfazed by the odds and hungry to pull off an early-season shock. With nothing to lose, “Rise and Shine” will look to silence Soweto and book their place in the semifinals.
Pirates enter this tie with a clear mission: continue their MTN8 dominance. Their Spanish pre-season camp may not have yielded perfect results (one win, two draws, one defeat), but the international exposure has left them match-hardened and battle-ready.
It will also be the first major test for the new technical team post-Riveiro, and all eyes will be on how the squad adapts in his absence.
City have kept things under wraps during their pre-season, with closed-door friendlies and no formal results released. While that leaves questions about their readiness, it also means they arrive as a bit of an unknown quantity.
They haven’t beaten Pirates since 2017 — when they famously won on penalties in a Telkom Knockout quarterfinal — but they’ll believe the cup magic could return.
Recent Meetings: Pirates’ Dominance Continues
5 April 2025 – Polokwane City 0-1 Orlando Pirates
24 September 2024 – Orlando Pirates 3-0 Polokwane City
2 March 2024 – Polokwane City 0-1 Orlando Pirates
27 October 2023 – Orlando Pirates 1-1 Polokwane City
7 January 2020 – Polokwane City 1-4 Orlando Pirates
Players to Watch
Relebohile Mofokeng (Pirates) – The creative spark in the Pirates engine room. With increased responsibility this season, expect him to pull the strings in the final third.
Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City) – City’s midfield anchor. His ability to disrupt Pirates’ rhythm and regain possession could be critical.
Match Details & Broadcast
Kick-off: Saturday, 2 August 2025 at 15:00
Venue: Orlando Stadium, Soweto (Capacity: 37,000 – SOLD OUT)
Watch Live: SuperSport PSL (Channel 202) & Showmax
Radio: Available on all major SABC stations
Betting Odds (via Hollywoodbets)
Orlando Pirates – 0.35
Draw – 3.30
Polokwane City – 7.00
Final Word
It’s a battle between pedigree and ambition. Pirates want to write more history, while Polokwane City are eager to create their own. One thing is certain — the MTN8 is serving up a proper curtain-raiser.