MTN8 2025 Semis: Stats and Facts Preview

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MTN8 2025 Semis: Stats and Facts Preview

The MTN8 semifinals feature two exciting matchups as four teams chase a spot in the final.

Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns is a clash of titans. Pirates are aiming for a fourth straight MTN8 title, while Sundowns seek their first since 2021. Pirates beat Polokwane City 2–0 in the quarters; Sundowns cruised past Richards Bay 4–0. This is a rematch of the 2023 final, which Pirates won on penalties.

Stellenbosch FC vs Sekhukhune United pits two rising cup contenders. Stellenbosch reached last year’s final and have won three straight MTN8 home ties. Sekhukhune are in their first semi-final after a dramatic 3–2 win over TS Galaxy. Their previous MTN8 campaigns ended in early exits, but under Eric Tinkler, they’ve shown growth.

ORLANDO PIRATES vs SUNDOWNS STATS AND FACTS

Orlando Pirates claimed a hat-trick of MTN8 titles between 2022 and 2024, and are seeking to become the first club ever to win the competition four years in a row.

These two sides have met 114 times before since the start of the National Soccer League in 1985, with Sundowns leading the head-to-head 47-34. There have also been 33 draws. Sundowns have outscored their opponents 150-109, with Khuliso Mudau netting their 150th goal against The Buccaneers in a defeat in a league clash last season.

The teams have met in 14 matches in the competition overall, 10 at the semifinal stage to go with two quarterfinals and two finals. Their first was, for a time, Sundowns’ record win against Pirates as they romped to a 6-1 success in 1990. That was eclipsed by a 6-0 league win in 2016, still Pirates’ heaviest ever defeat. They last clashed in the 2023 MTN8 final, which Pirates won 2-1.

That win means Pirates edge the record in those 14 MTN8 games. They have five wins to four for Sundowns, to go with five draws. It is a fairly even record in matches played down the years.

If you look purely at MTN8 ties between these two, there have been 10 (taking into account two legs and replays). Pirates have won six of those to Sundowns’ four, so hold the edge.

Pirates have been involved in 14 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, and before that 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Sundowns have been to 16 semifinals int he PSL era and won seven of those, losing nine times in this round. That includes their last two semifinals ties in 2022 and 2024. In fact, they have won one of their last five MTN8 semifinals.

Sundowns have enjoyed tremendous success in the last decade, but have found MTN8 title wins hard to come by. They were victorious when they beat Cape Town City on penalties in the 2021 final, but that is their only title win since 2007. They lost the 2023 final on penalties to Orlando Pirates following a 0-0 draw.

Pirates have only lost two of their last 18 MTN8 fixtures (W13 D3), and the second of those defeats did not stop them advancing. They lost 2-1 to Moroka Swallows in the quarterfinals in 2021, and 1-0 to Stellenbosch FC in the second leg of their semifinal in 2023, but still advanced on the away goals rule. It is an incredibly consistent record in the competition.

SEKHUKHUNE vs STELLENBOSCH FACTS AND STATS

This will be the first meeting between these two sides in the MTN8, but the second in cup competitions.

The teams clashed in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup in the 2022/23 season Sekhukhune United claiming victory on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Overall, they have met on nine previous occasions with one win each and seven draws. Five of those draws have been 1-1 and two 0-0. Stellenbosch did win the last meeting between the sides when they clashed in the second half of last season, recording a 2-1 away win.

Both victories for these two sides against one another have come away from home, so are yet to record a victory against their rivals in front of their own fans.

Stellenbosch have lost just one home MTN8 tie when they were defeated 2-1 by Orlando Pirates in the 2023 semifinals. Since then they have won three in a row, defeating TS Galaxy (3-1), Mamelodi Sundowns (1-0) and AmaZulu (3-2) in the last round. They also drew 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs in 2022, but lost on penalties.

Sekhukhune United finally made the MTN8 semifinals having lost both quarterfinals they played previously. They were thumped 5-0 by Orlando Pirates in 2023 and lost 1-0 at home to Cape Town City last season. They won their first MTN8 game with a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy in the last round.

Sekhukhune coach Tinkler was in charge of SuperSport United when they beat his old club Cape Town City in the 2017 MTN8 final. He was later an MTN8 runner-up with City in 2021 as they lost on penalties to Mamelodi Sundowns in the deciding match in Durban.

Stellenbosch are appearing in the MTN8 for the fourth season in a row. They made their debut in a penalty shoot-out loss to Kaizer Chiefs in 2022 following a 1-1 draw, and then were agonisingly close to making the final in 2023. They defeated SuperSport United 1-0 away in the quarterfinals, before a 2-1 home loss to Orlando Pirates in the home leg of their semi.

They went to Soweto and won the second leg 1-0, but were knocked out on the away goals rule. But they did reach the final last year, only to lose 3-1 to Orlando Pirates in the decider in Durban. They had achieved a pair of 1-0 wins over Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals.

Stellenbosch made the final of the Carling Knockout in the 2023-24 season, and the semifinals of both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup that campaign, to show they are a very good cup team. They made the final of the MTN8 last term and the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup, so kept up their form in knockout competitions.

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<!-- 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.

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