{"id":28746,"date":"2025-09-12T12:15:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T10:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=28746"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:51:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:51:42","slug":"orlando-pirates-ready-for-historic-mtn8-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/orlando-pirates-ready-for-historic-mtn8-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Pirates Ready for Historic MTN8 Final Against Stellenbosch FC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given the club\u2019s fans confidence that his squad is ready for the upcoming MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. Despite a difficult lead-up to the match, the Buccaneers are focused on making history and clinching their fourth consecutive MTN8 title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc04\ud835\udc17\ud835\udc13_\ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc13\ud835\udc02\ud835\udc07<br><br>\ud83c\udfc6 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MTN8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#MTN8<\/a> Final<br>\ud83c\udd9a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/StellenboschFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@StellenboschFC<\/a> <br>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Saturday,13 September 2025<br>\ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f Mbombela Stadium, MP<br>\u23f0 18H00<br>\ud83d\udcfa <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SuperSportTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SuperSportTV<\/a> <br>\ud83d\udcfa <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Official_SABC1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@Official_SABC1<\/a> <br><br>\u26ab\u26aa\ud83d\udd34\u2b50<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OrlandoPirates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OrlandoPirates<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OnceAlways?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OnceAlways<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UduxYxNizS\">pic.twitter.com\/UduxYxNizS<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/orlandopirates\/status\/1966086822276247676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 11, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-rocky-build-up\">A Rocky Build-Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandopiratesfc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pirates<\/a> return from the international break, where several key players were on duty with Bafana Bafana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria. The absence of these players briefly disrupted the team\u2019s momentum, but Ouaddou believes they have re-focused and are ready for the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before the break, Pirates were unstoppable, claiming a dominant 3-0 win over Chippa United. Unfortunately, celebrations turned somber when Ouaddou and his technical team were involved in a car accident on their way back from Gqeberha. Despite suffering injuries, with one arm in a sling, Ouaddou confirmed that he would be on the touchline for the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"ht\" dir=\"ltr\">TouchDown Mbombela<br><br>\u26ab\ufe0f\u26aa\ufe0f\ud83d\udd34\u2b50\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OrlandoPirates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OrlandoPirates<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OnceAlways?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OnceAlways<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ITaeZFGxxC\">pic.twitter.com\/ITaeZFGxxC<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/orlandopirates\/status\/1966237923222995161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 11, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2994035153\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ouaddou-s-emotional-reflection\">Ouaddou&#8217;s Emotional Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Ouaddou expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead his team: \u201cI am proud to reach the final with my players and this club. This week is emotional not only because of the final, but also because I am grateful to be here today. I thank the medical staff for ensuring I could be present.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Ouaddou is aware of the challenge ahead. \u201cA final is always different. Every team that gets here has quality. Stellenbosch are well-coached, organised, and dangerous. We must be at our best.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chasing-a-historic-fourth-mtn8-title\">Chasing a Historic Fourth MTN8 Title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Victory on Saturday would see Pirates win the MTN8 for the fourth consecutive season. This would further solidify their dominance in the competition. Ouaddou highlighted the importance of this final, saying, \u201cEveryone knows how much this occasion means to the club and our supporters. We are motivated, focused, and ready to fight for the trophy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Full swing mode \ud83c\udfcb\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u23f3<br><br>\u26ab\u26aa\ud83d\udd34\u2b50<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OrlandoPirates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OrlandoPirates<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OnceAlways?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#OnceAlways<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IeoZuAuh7m\">pic.twitter.com\/IeoZuAuh7m<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/orlandopirates\/status\/1965367910656082089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 9, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2393690429\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-players-and-injury-updates\">Key Players and Injury Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Buccaneers received a boost with Patrick Maswanganyi declared fit for selection after an injury scare. However, Makhehlene Makhaula, last season\u2019s Midfielder of the Year, is still recovering from a long layoff. Ouaddou emphasized the importance of not rushing his recovery: \u201cMakhaula is crucial for us, but his recovery must come first. We will not risk him until the medical team clears him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Check also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sibisi-and-maswanganyi-return\/\">Sibisi and Maswanganyi Return as Orlando Pirates Target MTN8 Glory<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This MTN8 final promises to be a thrilling contest. Pirates need to be at their tactical best to overcome Stellenbosch, who have proven themselves to be a tough opponent. The Buccaneers aim to extend their dominance in South African football and secure yet another MTN8 crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Will Orlando Pirates secure a fourth consecutive MTN8 title, or will Stellenbosch FC deliver an upset?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has reassured the club\u2019s supporters that his team is fully prepared for Saturday\u2019s eagerly awaited MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":28754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has reassured the club\u2019s supporters that his team is fully prepared for Saturday\u2019s eagerly awaited MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium.","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[11212,273,11211],"class_list":{"0":"post-28746","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-local-sports-updates","10":"tag-orlando-pirates","11":"tag-south-africa-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28746"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28755,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28746\/revisions\/28755"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}