After their 1-0 MTN8 semi-final first leg win over Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates will look to get another victory over Cedric Kaze's side when they host them in the South African Premiership on Tuesday.
Deon Hotto's strike late in the first half gave the Buccaneers a win away at Polokwane's Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Now, they will face Sekhukhune at Orlando Amstel Arena first in the league on Tuesday and then in the MTN8 semi-final second leg on Saturday.
The Buccaneers are defending champions in both competitions and they currently top the league standings. Although Abdeslam Ouaddou's side is one of four to have picked up seven points from their opening three games, Pirates (+5) have a better goal difference than Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu.
Sundowns will host AmaZulu on Wednesday, so at least one of the other early frontrunners will drop points. Wednesday will also see Kaizer Chiefs visit Richards Bay.
Pirates also have the psychological boost of an unblemished MTN8 record, while Chiefs and AmaZulu suffered defeats to Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune respectively in the quarter-finals, with Arrows beating Sundowns 1-0 in the semi-final first leg.
The new season is off to a relatively good start for Pirates, but Sekhukhune will be the toughest home fixture on paper of their title defence to date.
Key details
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. CAT (5:30 p.m. GMT)
Venue: Orlando Amstel Arena
How to watch: The match is scheduled to air on SuperSport's DSTV channel 202 (SuperSport PSL)
Team news
Attacking midfielder Patrick 'Tito' Maswanganyi's absence from the team for Saturday's game was due to something other than injury, as per Ouaddou, with reports ultimately surfacing of a potential move to Bahrain on the cards.
However, Ouaddou attributed winger Tshepang Moremi's absence from the squad to a knock, expressing hope that he could make a return for Tuesday's league clash.
Expected lineups
Orlando Pirates
GK Sipho Chaine
LB Neo Rapoo | CB Nkosinathi Sibisi | CB Lebone Seema | RB Kamogelo Sebelebele
CM Thapelo Mokobodi | CM Mthetheleli Mthiyane
LW Oswin Appollis | AM Cemran Dansin | RW Ghampani Lungu
Sekhukhune United
GK Melusi Buthelezi
LB D'Angelo Shaheed Kazeem | CB Daniel Cardoso | CB Tsepo Matsimbi | RB Nyiko Mobbie
CM Thato Khiba | CM Siphesihle Mkhize
LW Lehlohonolo Bradley Mojela | AM Ngoanamello Rammala | RW Tshepo Mokoane
Stats
Deon Hotto's winner in the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune was his 29th goal for the club across 255 appearances in all competitions.
Abdeslam Ouaddou's first league game in charge of Orlando Pirates was a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune in their opening game last season. Pirates subsequently lost 2-1 to Marumo Gallants in their next league game, but have only suffered one league defeat since (2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in February 2026).