Lehlohonolo Majoro Explains Why Sundowns Will Be Desperate To End Orlando Pirates’ MTN8 Dominance

Former Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro hopes both Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will have their key players fit to take the field in the coming MTN8 final set for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

Majoro reiterated that Sundowns will look to prevent Pirates from completing a record fifth consecutive MTN8 title.

Navigating Injuries

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates head into the much-anticipated MTN8 final this coming Saturday, hopeful that key players will be fit to take the field at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The defending champions, Pirates, have confirmed that experienced players Evidence Makgopa and Thalenthe Mbatha are back to full training with the team after sustaining injuries earlier in the season.

In the Sundowns camp, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba are being monitored, having picked up niggles during Bafana Bafana’s AFCON Qualifiers last week.

With the tickets having gone sold out within hours, the MTN8 final is a big fixture, and big fixtures are often decided by poise, which is a trait that comes with experience.

Majoro hopes the key players will be available in some capacity, citing that even if they feature from the bench, their experience will be invaluable for their teams.

“As a football fanatic, we want both teams to have all their players available for this because it is a very important competition to play,” Majoro told Sportsboom.co.za.

“We want them to have all their key players available so that we can see entertaining football and no one coming up with [excuses] saying [they lost] because players weren't available." 

“But again, with them coming back, the likes of Makgopa [for Pirates], it gives the coach a good headache in the sense of making sure that they have a variety of players that are experienced in terms of coming from the bench." 

“Having played football, you understand that coming back from injury doesn't necessarily mean you are 100 per cent to start the match and have the same sharpness and the same match fitness," he added.

Majoro highlighted that should Mokoena and Modiba not take the field on Saturday, their qualities will be missed by Sundowns. 

However, the former striker emphasised that both Pirates and Sundowns have enough talent in their squad to make the contest entertaining.

“Just to touch on Mokoena and Modiba, the possibility of them not being available for Sundowns and how that could affect the team? For me, I really wish that they can be there, because we all know that Mokoena adds value within Mamelodi Sundowns, especially when it comes to the team having a low block or the [opposition] team not being able to penetrate through the defence,” he said.

“He has the ability to take long-range shots out of the box, which also adds value to Mamelodi Sundowns. And Modiba's experience, the ability to run with the ball, combination play and also with set pieces; he also adds a lot of value within Mamelodi Sundowns." 

“[However] both teams do have enough ammunition in terms of good quality players in their squad, which is why they have been dominating of late and they've been winning their games in the league prior to this final.”

Lehlohonolo Majoro poses next to MTN8 Trophy. Source - MTN8.

Opportunity For Silverware

The MTN8 final will be the first domestic fixture following the recently concluded international break. It will also offer both teams the opportunity to win the first silverware of the season.

Over the past four seasons, Pirates have retained the MTN8 cup competition and are looking for a record fifth MTN8 trophy this coming Saturday.

However, having dethroned Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership last season, Majoro is adamant that Sundowns will be looking to return the favour and take the MTN8 trophy to Tshwane.

Majoro noted that Sundowns have been very busy playing international club football as CAF Champions League winners but says it is no excuse for them having lacked silverware here at home last season.

“Pirates are the defending champions of the MTN8. They've won it four consecutive times; they're looking to make history again by winning it the fifth time. But with Sundowns, coming out of winning the continental trophy, the mood is very high,” said Majoro.

“Mamelodi Sundowns have set the standard very high in our local league by making sure that they win almost all the time. They've been dominating our domestic league for many years, and that has made other teams prepare harder." 

“For Sundowns, we all know that they play a lot of games, which is why one might think [they have been] focussing more on international competitions as compared to local leagues. But this is not an excuse. It's simply because teams have gotten better and bridged the gap that Sundowns have had for so many years. They always want to give their all." 

“And like Orlando Pirates dethroned them in the league, I'm sure they will also want to return the favour by dethroning Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 after winning it four consecutive times." 

“They will try to prevent them from winning it for the fifth time, which is why this game is going to be very tactical. But whoever is going to win is the one who is willing to go the extra mile. So, it's going to be an exciting one," he concluded.