MTN8 Quarter-Final Preview

The MTN8 tournament offers thrilling football action and features the top eight teams from the previous PSL season. These teams have demonstrated their prowess and ability to compete at the highest level, making the tournament a showcase of talent and skill. Fans must get behind their favourite team as they go head-to-head in a bid to claim the prestigious MTN8 title. Saturday 12 August 1/4 Mamelodi Sundowns | Draw 4/1 | Moroka Swallows 17/2 (15:00) Mamelodi Sundowns are a team way above the rest at the minute and have set the bar with such high standards. It’ll be no surprise to witness the Brazilians lift another trophy this season. Rulani Mokwena has done a stella job at the helm, managing to keep a squad full of highly rated players happy and ready to fight for the badge. Steve Komphela has been appointed head coach of Moroka Swallows for the new season and being the respected manager he is, this could be the start of something great for the Dube Birds. Komphela knows the importance of winning trophies as it brings belief and lifts the moral of the squad. He will know his opponents well and can use Andile Jali’s experience and football intelligence to transform the team and fight for their place in the next round. I’m backing Sundowns to show their superiority and sweep the Dube Birds aside. 11/20 Orlando Pirates | Draw 5/2 | Sekhukhune United 47/10 (18:00) Orlando Pirates have done a full 360 since the Spaniard Jose Riveiro took charge. The values and cultural change he instilled in the team has benefited the entire organization and finished last season off with a league double. The Buccaneers have done smart business in the transfer market and have strengthened their squad with Lesedi Kapinga being their latest acquisition. Pirates must continue to play their style of football that got them this far as they prepare to defend their title. Brandon Truter has been instrumental for the club as they continue to take the right steps towards being one of the top competitors in the league. Everything takes time and dedication to reach a level worthy of being a champion, and with experience anything is possible for the Limpopo side. The objective will be clear from Truter, and he’ll demand a top performance from his players as they look to go all the way and put a stop to the mighty Pirates. Orlando Pirates are the more complete team in this matchup; back them to win. Sunday 13 August 18/10 Cape Town City | Draw 2/1 | Kaizer Chiefs 14/10 (15:00) Eric Tinkler’s side has been a consistent top eight side since their inception in the PSL and are no strangers to this MTN8 tournament. Having won this tournament just two years ago, the Mother City outfit will be looking forward to getting their hands back on the trophy. In looking to power their way to the top, City added Jo Paciencia to their attacking department recently, a player highly rated by Tinkler and could be the player to link up with Khanyiso Mayo in leading the team to victory. Molefi Ntseki and the Glamour Boys have been busy in the transfer market for the new campaign, having brought in seven new players. He has been chosen by the powers that be to bring the glory days back to Naturena. Chiefs have won this cup a record 15 times, the most from any club in the topflight. Winning will be priority for Ntseki as he tries to win over the love from all Amakhosi fans, and he’ll need his best players to put on a display worthy of advancing to the next round. Cape Town City are tipped to win against an uncertain Kaizer Chiefs side. 13/20 SuperSport United | Draw 23/10 | Stellenbosch 4/1 (18:00) SuperSport have been so consistent over the years and credit to Gavin Hunt for the dedication and hard work he puts into his team. The Pretoria-based side are one of the contenders for the title this season and being the well drilled team they are, could be the difference to get them over the line. Nothing is taken for granted and Hunt will stick to his guns and play on the attack, look to control proceedings early on while defensively sound at the same time. Steve Barker dedicating himself to the club has brought new life to the club and has found themselves rubbing shoulders with the top clubs in the league. It will be interesting to see how they continue life without their star player Junior Mendieta but knowing the coach Steve Barker is, he would have worked on a gameplan best suiting his style of play. Iqraam Reyners, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and the new arrival Kgaogelo Sekgota to name a few, are players with the ability to lead the team to victory as they look to win their first major cup in the topflight. This game will be end-to-end and could go either way but I back SuperSport to clinch the win.Written by Marc Strydom

MTN8 Quarter-Final Preview

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