The second legs of the MTN8 semi finals take place this weekend, on Saturday Orlando Pirates are in front in their clash with Sekhukhune whilst on Sunday Sundowns are playing catch up in their tie with Golden Arrows
Saturday, Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune
This is the last of the three meetings between these sides in the space of a week. Last Saturday they met in the first leg of this semi final in Polokwane and Pirates came away with a 1-0 win. Deon Hotto scored the only goal of a tight game just before half time to give Pirates the edge with this home leg to come.
The teams then met in a league game in Orlando on Tuesday and Pirates came out on top 2-0 thanks to a first half goal from Radiopane and a second half strike from Appollis. After 4 rounds of Betway Premiership matches Pirates top the log on goal difference ahead of Sundowns and both teams have 10 points, 2 more than third placed Kaizer Chiefs. They started with a 2-0 home win over Milford FC before playing out a 1-1 draw at Amazulu and before a 3-0 win at Chippa.
A reminder that Pirates have won this competition in each of the last 4 seasons and they booked their semi final place after digging deep to see off Durban City 2-1 after extra time in the quarters in Orlando.
Sekhukhune made it to the semi finals and four different players found the net in a pulsating 4-3 MTN8 quarter final win at Amazulu with Vuyo Letlapa bagging the all important winner in extra time. In contrast they struggled to create much against Pirates in the first leg and also in the midweek Betway Premiership match and failed to score across the two matches.
In the Betway Premiership Sekhukhune have a record of 2 wins and 2 defeats and are seventh standings. They were 1-0 winners against Durban City in the opening round then went down 2-0 away to Kaizer Chiefs before a 2-0 win against Polokwane City in their derby.
In the MTN8 of 2025 Sekhukhune won their quarter final at home to TS Galaxy 3-2 before they lost to Stellenbosch 3-1 on aggregate in the semi’s.
Sunday, Golden Arrows vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Arrows are 1-0 up with this home leg to come after springing a surprise in the first leg last week when Junior Dion scored the only goal of the game on 37 minutes. It was a similar story in the quarters when a goal from Khulekani Shezi gave Arrows a 1-0 win away to Kaizer Chiefs.
In the Betway Premiership Arrows are unbeaten with a record of 1 win and 3 draws. Their first three league games all finished 0-0, at home to Chippa and away at Durban City and TS Galaxy. In midweek they were 1-0 winners at home to Stellenbosch with Juinor Dion again on target and Arrows have yet to concede in league and cup.
Aside from that 1-0 defeat in the first leg of this semi final Sundowns have generally been free scoring this season. The quarter finals saw them deliver a 3-2 home win over Polokwane City. Downs conceded early but were 2-1 up by half time thanks to goals from Mokoena and van Wyk. Polokwane equalized to force extra time and Mailula found the winner in the 113th minute.
In the Betway Premiership Sundowns thrashed Amazulu 5-2 in a midweek home fixture to keep up with Pirates at the top of the standings, unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw. They also won 3-2 at TS Galaxy and 2-0 at home to Gallants either side of a 1-1 draw at Kaizer Chiefs.
Sundowns beat Richards Bay 4-0 in last season’s MTN8 quarter finals, both legs of their subsequent semi final match up with Pirates finished all square and they bowed on penalty kicks.
Semi Finals Bets
Let's go with a Pirates (4/10) and Sundowns (8/10) double for which we need both of the big guns to win their respective 2nd legs in regulation time.
Bets: Pirates win onto Sundowns win at 15/10 with Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are subject to change
