Sundowns’ injured Bafana stars to make the MTN8 final?

Orlando Pirates host Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2026 MTN8 final on Saturday. The game kicks off at 18:00 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Bafana Bafana internationals Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas returned from international duty nursing respective injuries. According to coach Miguel Cardoso, the trio’s availability remains unclear until Saturday’s game.

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MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TRIO INJURY UPDATE

“Yesterday we had a first evaluation on the players; players were seen by doctors,” Cardoso told the media. “Today we’ll have a better opportunity to check them. I believe those cases will be until the last minute.”

The Sundowns coach made it clear that the club will not take unnecessary risks with players who are carrying muscle problems.

Cardoso specifically referenced Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas, who both picked up muscle-related concerns while on international duty with Bafana Bafana.

“But as you understand, we cannot risk, especially on muscle injuries like the ones that had Aubrey and Aubaas,” he added. “We cannot risk putting a player in, in case they’re not ready, I’m not saying they’re not.”

ORLANDO PIRATES VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS IN THE MTN8

Pirates and Sundowns have faced each other 14 times in the MTN8, with those meetings including 10 semi-finals, two quarter-finals and two finals.

Their most recent MTN8 final meeting came in 2023, when Pirates edged Sundowns on penalties after 120 minutes ended goalless. Sipho Chaine was the hero for the Buccaneers, saving three penalties as Pirates won the shootout 3-1.

Pirates also knocked Sundowns out in the 2022 semi-finals, securing a 3-0 aggregate victory. Since then, the Buccaneers have dominated the competition, winning four successive MTN8 titles between 2022 and 2025.

Their remarkable run began against AmaZulu in 2022, before Pirates defeated Sundowns in 2023 and Stellenbosch FC in both 2024 and 2025.

The 2025 triumph was particularly historic. Pirates defeated Stellenbosch 3-0 after extra time at Mbombela Stadium to become the first club to win four consecutive MTN8 titles.

That victory also took Pirates’ overall MTN8 trophy tally to 14.

The Buccaneers have already made more history this season. Their 4-0 aggregate victory over Sekhukhune United in the semi-finals made them the first club to reach five consecutive MTN8 finals.

WHO DO YOU EXPECT TO LIFT THE TITLE THIS WEEKEND?

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