Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Kenny Niemach has outlined what could be the key difference to win the game in Saturday’s MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The traditional giants clash with the Buccaneers bidding for a fifth straight MTN8 title. Masandawana, on the other hand, will be pushing to win the trophy they last clinched in 2021 and also to lift their first domestic trophy since being crowned the 2024/25 Betway Premiership champions.
That raises the stakes in Saturday’s clash between the two teams, who are already fiercely confronting each other in the league this season.
Pirates are just one MTN8 title away from a 15th crown to match Chiefs, who are the record holders of this tournament. However, Sundowns have just won it four times, with coach Miguel Cardoso keen to make it his second domestic trophy at Masandawana. But for a team fresh off winning the FIFA African-Asia-Pacific Cup, they would not want their ego hurt.
EXPECTATIONS OF AN EXPLOSIVE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN PIRATES & SUNDOWNS
“I’m very hopeful it’s going to be an explosive encounter, and I’ll tell you why. Both these teams are very good in a once-off situation. In other words, cup games,” Niemach told FARPost in an interview.
“They both can perform. You have seen Sundowns winning that cup [FIFA African-Asia-Pacific Cup], even at the Club World Cup. They are very good in one-game situations.
“So, this is going to be a very interesting tie. I think tactical acumen will be stretched as far as the coaches are concerned. They are going to look to nullify each other and not allow the other to have room to play and operate.
“But I still hope it’s not going to be the case but a showcase of South African football. It’s not about this cup, it’s about the rest of the season, bragging rights, history and many things.”
WHERE THE MTN8 COULD BE WON, ACCORDING TO NIEMACH
Abdeslam Ouaddou‘s Pirates have conceded just one goal in their last five games across different competitions, giving them a record of a solid defence going into Saturday’s tie set to start at 18:00. The Brazilians have shipped in three goals in their last five encounters.
Niemach believes a tight defence might deliver glory in Durban, but fears a defensive approach could take the shine off the contest.
“Between these two clubs there is a rich history. It’s a clash of giants, so I do suspect that both coaches will look to not concede in the first half. Maybe go for it in the last 20. That’s a possibility,” the retired footballer who also played for Sundowns continues.
“Or if they come out of the gates early on and give a nice, expensive game head-to-head, that will be nice in terms of entertainment value. But then the coaches want to win the cup, so who is going to be the Minister of Defence? We’ll only see that on the day of the game, when either coach announces his team and how he sets it out for the game.
“Whether he is going to play with four at the back, three in front or one striker, because one might consider that this is a cup match and play one striker to catch on the break,” Niemach went on.
“So if you don’t concede, you will have one hand on the cup. But there are many ways to look at this and dissect it. So let’s see what they do. We will know on the day of the game.
“It is entirely possible [that the best defensive set-up might win the game]. You know football is about space and time. So if both teams set out their teams to ensure that they limit space and time, that means the other team does not have control.
“The biggest thing to watch for here is possession. How much possession are they willing to fight for?
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