Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: Stats and Facts preview

Published on by

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates: Stats and Facts preview

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will meet for a 16th time overall in the MTN8, since first meeting in the competition in 1990.

Over their previous 15 meetings in the competition, both sides have four wins apiece while there has been seven draws.

In their seven draws in the competition, two games have been decided on penalties with Pirates winning on both occasions.

This is the 7th time that they meet at the semi-final stage of the competition, Pirates have progressed from four of the previous six semi-finals, while Sundowns have progressed from two including replays and penalty shootouts.

This will be their 12th match at the semi-final stage of the MTN8 including replays and second legs, Pirates have won three semi-final matches, Sundowns have won two and there has been six draws, with Pirates winning one on penalties.

This is the 3rd time they meet in a two legged MTN8 semi-final along with 2011-12 and 2022-23, Pirates have progressed from both previous two legged semi-finals against Sundowns.

On both previous occasions that Sundowns and Pirates have met in a two legged MTN8 semi-final, Pirates have gone on to be crowned champions of the MTN8.

In their five matches across two legs in the semi-finals of the MTN8, Pirates have never lost (W2 D3).

When Sundowns and Pirates have met in the MTN8 in rounds prior to the final, on five occasions the winner of that game has been crowned champions.

In 1990 when they met in the quarterfinal, Sundowns were crowned champions, in 1993 they met in the semi-finals, Pirates were champions, in 2000-01 they met in the semi-finals, Pirates were champions, in 2011-12 and 2022-23 they met in the semi-finals and Pirates were champions.

Pirates have gone onto be winners on four occasions when meeting Sundowns in rounds prior to the final.

This will be the 22nd PSL Era cup meeting between the sides, over their previous 21 meetings, Pirates have eight wins, Sundowns five and there has been eight draws.

Both sides have won one game on penalties in their previous 21 PSL Era cup meetings.

Their first ever meeting in the competition was in 1990 in the quarterfinals, Sundowns were 6-1 winners away from home. Sundowns were winners of the competition in 1990.

Sundowns 6-1 away win in 1990 at the time, was their record win over Pirates, that was eclipsed by a 6-0 league win in 2016-17, still Pirates’ heaviest ever defeat.

In 1992, after a 0-0 draw in the semi-final with Sundowns as hosts, Sundowns won the replay 2-1 away from home.

In the semi-final in 1993, after a 1-1 draw with Pirates as hosts, they played out to a 1-1 draw with Sundowns at home in the replay, Pirates prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

Sundowns won 2-0 at home in the semi-final in 1994, while Pirates won 1-0 at home in the quarter-final in 1995.

Their first meeting in the competition in the PSL Era came in 2000-01 in the semi-final. Pirates were 2-1 winners at home on the 13th August 2000 as Dennis Lota scored a brace.

In 2007-08, they met in the final on the 15th September 2007, Sundowns were 1-0 winners as Brent Carelse scored the game’s only goal in the 15th minute.

In the 2011-12 semi-finals, Pirates were hosts in the first leg on the 21st August 2011 and won 3-2. Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Tlou Segolela and Bongani Ndulula scored for Pirates.

In the second leg in 2011-12, Sundowns were the hosts on the 28th August 2011 as they drew 1-1, Pirates progressed 4-3 on aggregate.

They also met in the 2022-23 semi-finals, after a 0-0 draw in the first leg with Pirates as hosts on the 1st October 2022. Pirates won the 2nd leg 3-0 away on the 22nd October 2022, Pirates won 3-0 on aggregate.

In the Final in 2023-24 on the 7th October 2023, after a 0-0 draw (AET), Pirates prevailed 3-1 in the shootout.

In 2023-24, Pirates also defeated Sundowns 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup Final on the 1st June 2024, Themba Zwane scored for Sundowns in the 54th minute and Pirates came back through Patrick Maswanganyi in the 71st minute and Relebohile Mofokeng in added time.

Their most recent MTN8 meeting came on the 16th August in the semi-final 1st leg with Pirates as hosts, they drew 1-1. Teboho Mokoena scored for Sundowns in the 36th minute and Kamogelo Sebelebele equalized for Pirates in the 87th minute.

Their first leg draw this season, was the second draw in a first leg of a two legged semi-final between Sundowns and Pirates, they drew 0-0 with Pirates as hosts in 2022-23. Pirates progressed 3-0 on aggregate after a 3-0 win in the second leg away from home.

Sundowns and Pirates have been involved in two penalty shootouts in the MTN8. In 1993 in the semi-final, after a 1-1 draw with Sundowns as hosts in the replay, Pirates won 4-2 on penalties and in 2023-24 after a 0-0 draw after extra time in the final, Pirates won 3-1 on penalties.

In the PSL Era in their previous 21 cup meetings they have been involved in three other penalty shootouts, along with Pirates win on penalties in the MTN8 Semifinal and Final in 1993 and 2023-24, in 1997-98 in the Bob Save Final Replay after a 1-1 draw, Sundowns won 6-5 on penalties.

Pirates are unbeaten against Sundowns in their last six MTN8 matches (W2 D4) – Games decided on penalties counted as draws.

Sundowns last win over Pirates in the competition came in the 2007-08 final, a 1-0 win for them.

Pirates are unbeaten against Sundowns in all cup competitions in their last five matches (W2 D3).

Sundowns last cup win over Pirates came in the 2020-21 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal. Sundowns won 4-1 at home on the 15th April 2021.

That defeat for Pirates in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal in 2020-21 is their only defeat in their last 11 cup meeting against Sundowns (W6 D4).

Sundowns are unbeaten in their last three home games against Pirates in all competitions (W2 D1). Pirates last won away to Sundowns in the 2022-23 MTN8 semi-final 2nd leg in a 3-0 win on the 22nd October 2022, that game was played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

That 3-0 defeat for Sundowns in 2022-23 is their only defeat as hosts against Pirates in their last 9 matches in all competitions (W5 D3).

The last five games in all competitions have produced goals, with the last goalless draw coming in the MTN8 Final in 2023-24 on the 7th October 2023, Pirates won 3-1 in the shootout.

Mamelodi Sundowns:

Mamelodi Sundowns won 2-0 away against Magesi in their last league match on the 20th August.

Peter Shalulile scored Sundowns’ second against Magesi, he is now equal with Siyabonga Nomvethe as the leading goal scorer in the PSL Era across all competitions with 129 goals.

Sundowns are unbeaten in all competitions across five games this season (W3 D2).

Sundowns progressed to the semi-finals of the MTN8 with a 4-0 win at home over Richards Bay on the 3rd August.

Their win over Richards Bay in this seasons quarterfinals their only win in their last four MTN8 matches (D1 L2).

Sundowns are unbeaten in their last eight home matches across all competitions (W6 D2), since a 2-1 loss in the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Kaizer Chiefs on the 13th April.

Across their eight game unbeaten run at home, Sundowns have scored 18 goals and conceded 1.

Sundowns reached the semi-finals of the MTN8 for a 17th time in the PSL Era.

They have reached the semi-finals for a 5th successive season.

Sundowns have now reached the semi-finals in seven of the last eight MTN8 tournaments, only failing to reach the semi-finals in 2020-21 in this time.

In their 16 semifinals in the PSL Era, Sundowns have won seven and lost nine times in this round. That includes their last two semifinals ties in 2022-23 and 2024-25.

Should Sundowns progress they will reach the MTN8 final for an 8th time in the PSL Era along with 2001-02, 2002-03, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2016-17, 2021-22 and 2023-24.

Should Sundowns progress, they will reach the final of the competition for an 12th time overall.

Since a two legged Semi-final was introduced in 2008-09, Sundowns are competing in the last four for an 11th time, having previously done so in 2008-09, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

In both legs of an MTN8 Semi-final since 2008-09 Sundowns record reads: P21 W5 D8 L8.

All five of Sundowns victories over two legs in an MTN8 semi-final have come at home.

Their wins at home came in, 2008-09 Sundowns defeated SuperSport United 2-1 in the first leg, in 2016-17 they defeated Chippa United 1-0 in the second leg, in 2018-19 they defeated Cape Town City 1-0 in the second leg, in 2021-22 they defeated Golden Arrows 3-0 in the second leg and in 2023-24 they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in the second leg.

Sundowns record in the second leg of a two legged MTN8 Semi-final since 2008-09 reads P10 W4 D1 L5.

Four of their five wins have come in the second of a two legged semi-final in the MTN8, their only win in a first leg was in 2008-09, a 2-1 home win over SuperSport United.

Sundowns have won two of their last five second legs in an MTN8 semi-final (L3).

Sundowns have failed to win in the second leg on six occasions, in 2008-09 they lost 3-2 away to SuperSport United, in 2011-12 they drew 1-1 at home to Orlando Pirates, in 2012-13 they lost 3-2 away to Moroka Swallows, in 2019-20 they lost 2-0 at home to SuperSport United, in 2022-23 they lost 3-0 at home to Pirates and in 2024-25 they lost 1-0 away to Stellenbosch.

Sundowns have played at home in the second leg of a two legged semi-final on seven occasions, their record reads: P7 W4 D1 L2.

Sundowns have only failed to win at home in the second leg of a semi-final on three occasions, in 2011-12 they drew 1-1 at home to Orlando Pirates, in 2019-20 they lost 2-0 at home to SuperSport United, in 2022-23 they lost 3-0 at home to Pirates.

Of the three occasions that Sundowns have failed to win the second leg at home, Pirates have been involved on two occasions (D1 L1).

Sundowns record in the home leg of two legged MTN8 ties since 2008-09 reads P10 W5 D2 L3.

Sundowns have previously drawn the first of leg in the MTN8 semi-finals on six occasions, of the previous six occasions they have progressed on three occasions and were eliminated on three occasions.

Sundowns have drawn the away first leg of an MTN8 Semi-final five times and have progressed to the final thrice and lost twice.  

Sundowns victories after drawing the first leg came in 2016-17 after a 0-0 draw away to Chippa United in the first leg, Sundowns won the 2nd leg 1-0 at home, in 2021-22 after a 1-1 draw away to Arrows in the 1st leg, Sundowns won 3-0 at home in the 2nd leg and in 2023-24 after a 1-1 draw away to Chiefs in the first leg, Sundowns won 2-1 at home in the second leg and progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

Their defeats after drawing the first leg came in 2012-13 after a 3-3 draw in the 1st leg against Moroka Swallows, Sundowns lost 3-2 away in the 2nd leg and lost 6-5 on aggregate, in 2019-20 after a 1-1 draw away to SuperSport United in the first leg, they lost 2-0 at home in the second leg and lost 3-1 on aggregate and in 2022-23 after a 0-0 draw away to Orlando Pirates in the first leg, Sundowns lost 3-0 at home in the second leg.

Sundowns have been involved in 10 penalty shootouts in the MTN8 in the PSL Era, their record reads W4 L6.

Only two of their previous penalty shootouts have come at the semi-final stage of the MTN8, they have won one and lost one.

In 2007-08 after a 0-0 draw away to Jomo Cosmos in the semi-final, Sundowns won 5-3 in the shootout and in 2018-19 after a 1-1 aggregate score over two legs against Cape Town City, Cape Town City won 4-2 in the shootout.

Since 2008-09 the team eliminating Sundowns in the Semi-final has gone onto lift the trophy, on five occasions, in 2011-12 they lost to Pirates, while in 2012-13 they lost to Moroka Swallows, in 2018-19 they lost Cape Town City, in 2019-20 they lost SuperSport United and in 2022-23 they again lost to Pirates.

Sundowns will be looking to reach their 6th cup final in the three seasons, they reached the CAF Champions League Final and League Cup Final last season and the Nedbank Cup, MTN8 and African Football League Finals in 2023-24. Of these five finals they lost four.

Sundowns are four times winners of the MTN8 overall winning in 1988, 1990, 2007-08 and 2021-22.

Orlando Pirates:

Orlando Pirates won 1-0 at home in their last match in the league against Stellenbosch on the 20th August.

Pirates claimed a league win over Stellenbosch for the first time since the 2022-23 season, they were winless in their last four league games against them.

The win for Pirates was their first win in the league this season, it ended a run of three games without a win in all competitions (D1 L2).

Pirates only other win in all competitions this season was their 2-0 win at home over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinals on the 2nd August.

Pirates have only lost two of their last 19 MTN8 fixtures (W13 D4), and the second of those defeats did not stop them advancing. They lost 2-1 to Moroka Swallows in the quarterfinals in 2021-22, and 1-0 to Stellenbosch in the second leg of their semifinal in 2023-24, but still advanced on the away goals rule.

Pirates reached their 15th MTN8 semi-final in the PSL Era, they have reached the last four for a fourth season in a row.

Pirates have reached the Semi-final for the fifth time in six seasons since 2020-21 they have only missed out on the last four in 2021-22.

Pirates have been involved in 14 previous MTN8 semifinals in the PSL era and advanced on 10 occasions. That includes their last six semifinal ties.

Their previous semifinal defeat was in 2012-13, and before that 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2005-06.

Pirates’ 10 MTN8 Final appearances in the PSL Era is the most by a single side in the PSL Era.

Should Pirates progress they will reach the Final of the MTN8 for an 11th time in the PSL Era, they will reach a 4th successive MTN8 Final.

Should Pirates progress they will reach the Final of the MTN8 for a 5th time in six seasons.

Should Pirates progress, they will reach the MTN8 Final for a 20th time overall, only Kaizer Chiefs have reached more finals (21).

Since 2008-09 when a two legged Semi-final was introduced in the MTN8 Orlando Pirates are featuring in their 10th Semi-final.

In both legs of an MTN8 Semi-final since 2008-09 Pirates record reads P19 W10 D7 L2.

Pirates since 2008-09 have only lost two legs of an MTN8 Semi-final both were home second legs in 2012-13, a 0-0 away draw in the first leg was followed by a 3-0 home loss to SuperSport United in the second leg. In 2023-24, a 2-1 away first leg win over Stellenbosch was followed by a home 1-0 second leg loss. Pirates progressed on away goals in 2023-24 with the aggregate score tied at 2-2.

Since a two legged Semi-final was introduced in 2008-09 Pirates have lost in the last four only once in this time in 2012-13, they lost to SuperSport United 3-0 on aggregate. They have won their other eight Semi-finals ties.

Pirates record in nine MTN8 Semi-final 2nd leg clashes since 2008-09 reads: W5 D2 L2.

Pirates have won four of their last five second leg matches in MTN8 semi-finals (L1), their only defeat was a 1-0 home loss against Stellenbosch in 2023-24.

Pirates have failed to win a second leg clash on four occasions, in 2011-12 they drew 1-1 away to Sundowns, but progressed 4-3 on aggregate, in 2012-13 they lost 3-0 away to SuperSport United, in 2013-14 they drew 1-1 at home against Kaizer Chiefs and in 2023-24 they lost 1-0 at home to Stellenbosch.

Only against SuperSport in 2012-13 when Pirates have failed to win a second leg have they failed to progress.

Pirates record in the away leg of a two legged MTN8 semi-final since 2008-09 reads P9 W6 D3 L0.

Pirates have never lost away from home in a two legged semi-final in the MTN8 (W6 D3).

Pirates will be playing away from home in the second leg of a semi-final for a 5th time, their record reads: P4 W3 D1 L0.

Pirates only failed to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in a second leg clash away from home in 2011-12, they drew 1-1.

Pirates have drawn the first leg on four previous occasions in the MTN8, they have progressed on three occasions after drawing the first leg.

Their wins came in 2011-12, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Chiefs at home, Pirates won 1-0 away, in 2022-23 after a 0-0 draw at home against Sundowns, Pirates won 3-0 away in the second leg and in 2024-25 after a 1-1 draw away against Cape Town City, Pirates won 2-0 in the second leg.

Their only defeat after drawing the first leg came in 2012-13, after a 0-0 draw away to SuperSport United in the first leg, Pirates lost 3-0 at home in the second leg.

Pirates have been involved in seven penalty shootouts in the MTN8 in the PSL Era, their record reads: W3 L4.

Of their seven penalty shootouts only one has come at the semi-final stage, in 2005-06 after a 1-1 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic, Pirates lost 5-3 on penalties.

Pirates are looking to reach their 7th final in four seasons, they reached the Finals of the MTN8 Nedbank Cup in each of the last three seasons. Of the last 6 finals they have reached they have won five their only loss was in last seasons Nedbank Cup Final.

Only Kaizer Chiefs (15) have won more MTN8 titles than Pirates (13).

Pirates were the winners of the inaugural top eight tournament in 1972 defeating arch- rivals Kaizer Chiefs over two legs to lift the trophy.

Pirates have won four of the last five MTN8 competitions doing so in 2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Should Pirates reach the Final they would have reached four finals in a row the first time they would have done so, they will become the first team to reach four MTN8 finals in a row.

Progression to the final will see Pirates reach their fifth MTN8 final in six seasons, since 2020-21 they only missed out in 2021-22.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

You May Also Like