Legacy vs Revenge: The MTN8 final battle awaits

Not every rivalry is inherent; some are created.

As Orlando Pirates prepare to clash with Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final at Mbombela on Saturday night (6pm kick-off), this will be more than just a battle for silverware but for bragging rights as well.

Pirates are the defending champions of the country’s most lucrative cup competition after bagging a record-extending third successive crown last season. They won 3-1 against Stellenbosch at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The stakes were so high in that clash that it wasn’t without controversy. Tshegofatso Mabasa’s goal, which handed Pirates the lead, shouldn't have stood. Relebohile Mofokeng took the free-kick, which resulted in the assist, metres away from where the foul occurred.

That triumph didn’t only seal Pirates’ third successive crown under former coach Jose Riveiro, but also their second win over Stellies in the MTN8. The two teams met in the semi-final a season before, with Pirates progressing to the final on the away goals rule after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.

And so as the two teams meet for the third successive time in the Wafa Wafa Cup, Pirates are eager to be "third time lucky." The odds favor them on paper. They are the defending champions, won a cup competition—the Nedbank Cup—in their last cup final in Mbombela two years ago, and have already beaten Stellies 1-0 in the Betway Premiership this season.

Pirates’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou wants to win the trophy and endear himself to the "Ghost" as he continues to try and turn his fortunes around. He had a bad start in the league, losing the first two matches before winning the last three in a row.

Ouaddou is still expected to be in a cast and arm sling on Saturday after sustaining an injury, alongside some players and members of his technical team two weeks ago, and that’s why he’ll recover better knowing that he’s secured the club’s historic and record-extending fourth MTN8 crown in a row.

The 46-year-old has a camp that’s high in spirits. They welcomed back international players such as Sipho Mbule, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sipho Chaine, and Thalente Mbatha on Wednesday, while they slowly cleared out the medical room. Nkosinathi Sibisi, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Thabiso Sesane all returned to training this week after respective injuries.

Granted, Pirates are favorites to win the game, but they’ll underestimate Stellies at their own peril. The Winelands-based outfit is the most improved team in the top-flight after winning the Carling Knockout, finishing in the Top 3 back-to-back, and playing in the first-ever continental campaign—the CAF Confederation Cup—last season since their 2019 promotion.

But while they are immune to disappointments and losses, like the rest of their counterparts, Stellies are unhappy when they are robbed. Which is why they’ll want to make up for last season’s controversial defeat to Pirates on the pitch.

In search of his "third-time's-the-charm" moment, Barker is expected to have a clean bill of health at his disposal. Thabo Molosiane, who sustained an injury during Bafana’s 3-0 win over Lesotho, was cleared to be available for the national team doctor, Tshepo Molobi, after the game, though he was an unused substitute during their 1-1 draw with Nigeria on Tuesday.

Barker sold Deano van Rooyen and Sihle Nduli to Pirates recently, but he has not struggled with replacing players. Mthetheleli Mthiyane has fitted in like a glove in Stellies’ engine room, hardly looking like someone who was playing in the national first division last season before replacing Nduli.

While Barker seems to have the "know-how" of replacing depth, he still wants to complement that with a winning mentality. And that’s why there’d be no better way to achieve that feat than by beating Pirates to avenge last season’s loss and kick-start the season with a silverware.