Preview - Pirates vs Polokwane City, Time, Where to watch & Line-ups

The MTN8 is set to kick off the 2025/26 season with a compelling quarterfinal clash between Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City.

The Buccaneers, who enter the tournament as defending champions, are aiming to make history with a fourth consecutive title.

This ambition is particularly significant as they begin a new era without their former head coach, Jose Riveiro, who led them to their impressive three-peat. The pressure is on for Pirates to prove they can maintain their dominance.

For Polokwane City, this match is an opportunity to make a statement. “Rise and Shine” have yet to lift a major trophy since their promotion to the Betway Premiership, making this a chance to start their season on a high note.

Both teams are coming off a pre-season, with Pirates training in Spain and Polokwane City holding their camp at home. This will be the first official match for both sides, and it's a high-stakes encounter with a coveted semi-final spot on the line.

RECENT FORM

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s troops played four pre-season friendly matches in Spain winning only one, drawing two and losing one in the process.

Meanwhile, Polokwane City's friendly matches were played in closed doors, with the results not being released to the public.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Pirates have held a firm grip on this fixture for several years, consistently getting the better of Polokwane City. Their recent success is a clear indicator of this dominance; last season alone, they secured victory in both of their Betway Premiership encounters.

For Polokwane City, memories of a win against the Buccaneers are distant. The last time they tasted success was back in 2017, when they triumphed in a thrilling Telkom Knockout Cup quarterfinal. That day, they won a tense penalty shootout 3-2 after a dramatic 2-2 draw, but since then, the tide has firmly been with Pirates.