There set to champions league Orlando Pirates will win the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns and bank their fourth trophy under Jose Riveiro

Masandawana will face Bucs in Saturday’s blockbuster at Mbombela Stadium, with a trophy and R7 million on the line.

Mamelodi Sundowns are licking their wounds after ending their 2023/24 PSL campaign with a disappointing defeat to Cape Town City, but they had won the league championship with six games to spare.

Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, wrapped up their league campaign with a draw against SuperSport United which was enough to earn them the runners-up spot and a place in next season’s Caf Champions League.

This weekend’s eagerly anticipated encounter will be between arguably the two best teams in the country and it is an opportunity to end this term on a high by lifting a trophy.

The Buccaneers will fancy their chances when they face off with Masandawana in Mpumalanga and GOAL explains why.

Austin Ditlhobolo

May 30, 2024 22:00+01:00

Why Orlando Pirates will win the Nedbank Cup final against Mamelodi Sundowns and bank their fourth trophy under Jose Riveiro

A trophy and R7 million will be at stake when Masandawana square off with Bucs in Saturday’s blockbuster clash at Mbombela Stadium.

Mamelodi Sundowns are licking their wounds after ending their 2023/24 PSL campaign with a disappointing defeat to Cape Town City, but they had won the league championship with six games to spare.

This weekend’s eagerly anticipated encounter will be between arguably the two best teams in the country and it is an opportunity to end this term on a high by lifting a trophy.

The Buccaneers will fancy their chances when they face off with Masandawana in Mpumalanga and GOAL explains why…

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Sundowns’ scoring issue

The Tshwane giants have struggled in front of goal in the last few weeks having scored just two goals in their three matches.

Their struggles in front of goal proved costly against Cape Town City as Sundowns failed to take their chances and a late Jaedin Rhodes strike denied Masandawana a first-ever unbeaten PSL season.

Against Pirates, Rhulani Mokwena’s side will be up against a stubborn defence marshalled by the reliable Olisa Ndah who tends to bring his A-Game whenever he plays against Sundowns and also tames Peter Shalulile.

The Nigerian centre-back has faced Sundowns five times as a Buccaneer and lost just once – a 4-1 loss to the Brazilians in which Bucs conceded all four goals after Ndah was substituted at half-time due to an injury in December 2021.