MTN8 Final: How the international break could give Stellenbosch the advantage

Following the conclusion of the international break, focus shifts to the biggest match of the week which is the MTN8 final pitting holders Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC.

Pirates, who have won the last three MTN8 titles, are looking for an unprecedented fourth in a row and a 14^th overall, when they take on Stellies at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (18:00).

It is a high stakes match which is a repeat of last season’s final where Pirates won 3-1 with Stellenbosch feeling aggrieved by the manner in which the Buccaneers scored their second goal and coach Steve Barker has expressed optimism that the contest will not be decided by another controversial moment.

However, unlike last year, this season’s final comes at a good time for Stellenbosch, begging the question, is it their time?

This is because the match comes just after the international break where Pirates had eight players on national team duty while Stellies had just one.

Eight Bucs stars called up, just one for Stellies

During the international break, Pirates had Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, Thalente Mbatha, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Sipho Chaine, and Relebohile Mofokeng out on duty with Bafana Bafana while Deon Hotto was with Namibia.

Mbokazi, Mbule and Appollis started both Bafana Bafana matches against Lesotho and Nigeria while Mbatha was in the starting XI in the first and came off the bench in the second game.

Meanwhile, Sebelebele was involved from the bench in both matches, with Mofokeng and Chaine unused substitutes in the two games.

Hotto, a key player for the Brave Warriors, started and played 90 minutes in the two matches that Namibia featured in, the 2-1 loss to Malawi and the 3-0 thrashing of Sao Tome and Principe.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch only had defender Thabo Moloisane out on international duty as he started Bafana Bafana’s match with Lesotho but sustained a head injury that ruled him out of the Nigeria clash although he is expected to be fit for the MTN8 final.

Will Soweto giants be affected by tired legs?

Of the eight Pirates players, Hotto, Mbokazi, Chaine, Mbule, Appollis, Sebelebele and Mofokeng have been starters under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou while Mbatha has also played a prominent role when called upon so far.  

Add this to the fact that Thapelo Xoki is doubtful as he was among the six, including Ouaddou, who were involved in an accident, Olisa Ndah is yet to play this season while Nkosinathi Sibisi is returning from an injury and Pirates have a problem.

Ouaddou has been conducting training this week even without the star players but he risks having tired legs for the high stakes match while his options could be thin against a Stellenbosch team that are fresh and have had an entire squad to prepare for the match for the last two weeks.

 “I think it doesn’t affect our work at all,” Ouaddou said when asked if his team will feel the effects of having many players on international duty.

Ouaddou draws faith from strong bench  

“This is part of the work of all big clubs. Orlando Pirates is a big club, and we have internationals, and I said that we have to deal with it.

“The main part of the job has been done during the preparation. To teach them the principles and to get the fitness, I think it’s the most important thing. Of course, we have been in touch with them in many ways in order to keep them aware of the event,” added the tactician.

“So, they have been very close to us, even when they are in the national team, we were in contact with them. Also, we had other players here, and we were able to work with them because everybody will be important at that stage,” Ouaddou further said, pointing to the strength of his bench.

It remains to be seen if the advantage will help Stellenbosch as they look to win their first-ever MTN8 crown although Pirates hold a better head-to-head record in this contest, having won seven of their last 17, with five wins for the Cape Winelands side and as many draws.