Former Orlando Pirates forward Katlego Mashego has admitted the Buccaneers have not been impressive this season as they head into the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday.
The two sides will clash at Mbombela Stadium in what is a repeat of last season’s final, which the Buccaneers won 3-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Going into Saturday’s potentially stormy affair, Pirates beat Chippa United 3-0 in their most recent Betway Premiership match after starting the season on a losing note.
After two league defeats, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side picked themselves up to record two slim wins, including edging Stellenbosch 1-0 at Orlando Stadium last month.
To secure passage into the MTN8 final, the Soweto giants first beat Polokwane City FC 2-0 in the quarter-final, before sneaking to play the decider via a penalty shootout against Mamelodi Sundowns following a 2-2 aggregate result.
MASHEGO NOT IMPRESSED BY PIRATES
Mashego, who also turned out for Masandawana during his playing days, is not charmed by Ouaddou and his men.
“It’s a tough one [to pick the winner], anything can happen since this is a cup game,” Mashego told FARPost.
“Certain things can go your way, or a silly mistake can mess things up for you. For Stellenbosch, certain things were wrong last season when they lost the final, and I’m sure they learned some important lessons from that. But now they face Pirates, who haven’t been consistent and convincing. The biggest thing now for Pirates is that they are in the final.
“They eliminated Sundowns, and that is a big thing; it gives them a little bit of a push and boost. Stellenbosch also have a big chance, and we shouldn’t rule them out.”
On their way to the final, Stellenbosch first eliminated AmaZulu FC at the quarter-finals stage before a 3-1 aggregate victory over Sekhukhune United in the last-four.
PIRATES CHASING A FOURTH SUCCESSIVE MTN8 TITLE
The Soweto giants are bidding to win the MTN8 for the fourth consecutive season.
That poses a big task to Abdeslam Ouaddou whose predecessor Jose Riveiro guided Pirates to a record three straight MTN8 crowns.
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