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MTN8 Final – Three key matchups

football11 September 2025 07:50| © Mzansi Football
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There will be battles all over the park when Orlando Pirates take on Stellenbosch FC in the final of the MTN8 at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. Catch the action live on SuperSport.

Finals can be won and lost on key moments and both moments of brilliance, and mistakes. We look at three matchups that could be decisive in the final outcome.

DEON HOTTO VS DEVIN TITUS

No Pirates player has scored more goals against Stellenbosch FC than Hotto, who has four to his name, easily the most in this fixture. His rampaging runs down the left flank are a key weapon for Pirates and despite some blips here and there, he remains a key player for The Buccaneers.

But he is up against one of the best right wings in the PSL in Titus, who is both a creator and scorer of goals. Hotto will be wary of going too far past the halfway line without cover, or Titus is perfectly primed to operate in the space he leaves behind. These two wide players both have goals in them.

SIPHO MBULE VS MTHETHELELI MTHIYANE

Mthiyane has been a revelation n his short time at Stellenbosch since he made the move from second-tier Milford FC in this transfer window. He has settled in superbly with some commanding displays in the middle of the park.

Equally, Mbule’s form has been such that he has earned a Bafana Bafana recall, even if he has been used quite a bit off the bench.

But in a big final, with his great experience, might he be handed a start? Either way he is sure to feature at some point and keeping him quite will be huge for Stellenbosch. Mthiyane will likely be that man in what will be his first cup final.

EVIDENCE MAKGOPA VS HENRI STANIC

Just who starts up front for Pirates may be a matter of some debate but Makgopa could well be the man. We do not know if Thabo Moloisane will be fully fit in central defence for Stellenbosch after he went off for Bafana Bafana against Lesotho last Friday, so the man tasked with keeping Makgopa under wraps could be Belgian defender Stanic.

He is new to the league and still getting up to speed, and this will be a baptism and fire. Makgopa is not a prolific forward, but what he does so well is bring others into the play, freeing up space for the likes of Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Kamogelo Sebelebele.

Stanic’s previous experiences comes from playing in Latvia, the Norwegian second-tier and Malta, so this will be a step up for him on a big stage in front of a sold out stadium.

 

 

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