After mixed fortunes for the two sides in the lead-up to the first act of their eagerly-awaited two-legged tie, the defending champions were looking to turn the corner after a disappointing start to the league campaign. They came up against a Sundowns side still unbeaten in all competitions after registering a league win in midweek.

The clash between two of the biggest sides in South African football kicked off at a high tempo, with Pirates troubling the visitors down the right flank early on. In his first start in Bucs colours, Kamogelo Sebelebele made a storming run to get behind the defence, but was not able to link up with a teammate with his cut back.

Clear-cut chances proved to be a rarity as the pace of the game settled down, with the early period dominated by offside calls. Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews looked to have provided the opener, but the flag was up after mistiming his run.

The offside flag also had a say at the other end in the 21st minute when Sebelebele was denied his first goal for Buccaneers, despite replays showing otherwise. It remained goalless until the 36th minute, when Teboho Mokoena headed in from a Sundowns corner delivered by Marcello Allende. It could have quickly become an uphill climb for the hosts, if not for excellent reflexes from Sipho Chaine.

The Bucs shot-stopper kept out a long-range effort from Arthur Sales before having to recover quickly to deny Matthews from point-blank range. Meanwhile, at the other end, Pirates’ attempts at drawing level proved futile, with the visitors denying them opportunities at goal.

The halftime whistle sounded with the Brazilians still in the lead with the Buccaneers’ work cut out for them. They obliged in the second half, turning in an attacking display after the restart. Their initial chances failed to trouble goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, as both Deon Hotto and Patrick Maswanganyi fired well wide with their chances at goal. Chaine remained alert at the other end, thwarting Iqraam Rayners in a one-on-one situation.

His opposite number denied replacement forward Oswin Appollis in the 78th minute, following that up with a save off Evidence Makgopa who had benefited from sloppy defending before getting a shot away. Sebelebele was next to try and find a way past Williams, but the Sundowns shot-stopper was again equal to the task.

Pirates kept on probing, with Makgopa coming just inches from providing the equaliser when his header rattled the upright.

It looked as if it would be another frustrating outing for the hosts, but Sebelebele’s first goal in Bucs colours would not elude him for long. He got on the end of an excellent long ball from captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi, showing a clean pair of heels before firing past Williams for the equaliser with only three minutes of regulation time remaining.

The winger attempted to find a late winner a moment later, with Williams making a save this time around. A similar outcome greeted Mokoena at the other end as Chaine pulled off another great save to keep things level. That turned out to be the last real chance in an entertaining encounter, with the second leg in Atteridgeville set to decide the winner of what has so far been an enthralling tie.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Van Rooyen (Appollis 62’), Hotto, Nduli, Mbatha (Mbule 62’), Maswanganyi (Moremi 72’), Sebelebele, Mofokeng, Makgopa (Radiopane 88’)

A sell-out crowd is expected at the iconic venue for what is undoubtedly the season’s biggest fixture thus far, with two of the country’s biggest clubs going head-to-head in what promises to be another exciting cup clash.

The two Gauteng giants meet in the last four for the third time in the MTN8 era, with the Buccaneers looking to go past one of their biggest foes to keep their hopes of an unprecedented fourth consecutive title alive. It’s an equally important fixture for the visitors, who are looking to end Pirates’ lengthy reign in the competition.

The Opposition

Sundowns visit Soweto fresh off registering their first three-point haul in the league this season, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday night. Their previous Premiership outing yielded a single point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a stubborn Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium over the weekend.

The match in Gqeberha remains their only away fixture so far this season, with the other two taking place in more familiar territory. They were in Tshwane for their MTN8 quarter-final clash against Richards Bay, where they netted four goals without conceding to open their campaign with a comfortable win in a match played at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Ahead of their trip to Orlando, the Tshwane Giants have confirmed a couple of permanent exits with ex-Buccaneer Thembinkosi Lorch leaving the club along with midfielder Neo Maema.

All focus will now be on Saturday’s fixture as they aim to place themselves on the driving seat ahead of the deciding leg, which will be taking place in their own backyard.

Bucs Team News

The Buccaneers went past Polokwane City in the opening round, beating them 2-0 at Orlando Stadium to secure a spot in the semis. The high of that season opener was soon followed by a difficult week in the Premiership, where they are yet to register a point.

This is after a 1-0 defeat at home to Sekhukhune on the first match day plus a disappointing midweek outing away from home, where they lost 2-1 to Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium.

A break from league football could be a welcome change for the Soweto Giants, who are unbeaten in their eight most recent cup fixtures.

They head into the clash with an injury worry over Nkosinathi Sibisi, who missed the trip to Bloemfontein with vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi taking over the armband. Defender Olisa Ndah also remains sidelined alongside veteran midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula, with both players yet to feature this season.

There are options aplenty for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou however, as Pirates look to get back to winning ways on their return to a competition they have dominated in recent years.

Head-to-Head

Pirates go into the fixture looking to not only draw first blood in the tie, but to also uphold a proud record against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8. They have not lost to their rivals from Tshwane in the competition’s current format, which consists of two-legged semifinals.

They have competed twice in the last four, with the Buccaneers pulling past the Brazilians on both occasions, courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate score in the 2011/12 edition and a 3-0 win en route to lifting the 2022/23 title.

Their other clash during this period was in the final held at Moses Mabhida Stadium in October 2023, where the Soweto Giants lifted the second of three consecutive trophies with victory on penalties following a goalless draw.

Sundowns’ last win over Pirates in top-eight competition came in 2007, when an early strike from Brent Carelse handed them a tight 1-0 win in the final.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

Kick-off is at 15:00 with the match broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1. You can also follow the action as it happens by keeping an eye on live updates posted across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms.

Tickets are sold out.