By Sabelo Seroke
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi and Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker believe that they each have what it takes to lift the 2024 MTN 8 trophy at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, although they’re wary of the great quality of their opponents.
“I believe that pound for pound for pound; we’ve got just as many quality players in our midst. But one has got to look at their four of Saleng (Monnapule), Mofokeng (Relebohile), Maswanganyi (Patrick) and Mabasa (Tshegofatso), who are all the best players in their position currently,” said Barker.
The Buccaneers feel the same about Stellies. “They’ve got quality players and we know how they will set up like I said and stopping that will be difficult,” said Ncikazi.
The clubs’ current form can possibly be gauged by their league performance. Pirates has won all three of their opening matches and sit on the maximum nine points, which places them second behind Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League standings, while Stellenbosch have one win, only , a draw and a defeat, which has them in seventh position.
Ncikazi says he might be missing some key players, he is unsure about Olisa Ndah and Saleng’s medical fitness.
Orlando Pirates are the favourites as this is their third consecutive MTN8 final.
