Football is back! MTN8 fever grips the nation as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and the rest chase the magic of Wafa Wafa glory

The curtain-raiser of the 2025/26 MTN8 campaign sees defending champions Orlando Pirates hosting Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Buccaneers are chasing a fourth straight title in the competition, something no team has achieved in the Premier Soccer League era.   

Now under the leadership of Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Soweto giants are expected to play with fresh tactical ideas while retaining their ruthless cup pedigree. For Polokwane City, this is their chance to make history. They finished seventh last season and know the odds are stacked against them, but knockout football often favours the fearless.    

Saturday’s second quarter-final pits Sekhukhune United against TS Galaxy at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. Both teams have experienced cup football highs and heartbreak in recent seasons, but neither has managed to reach the final of this competition. 

Sekhukhune are hoping that the third time’s the charm, having failed to progress past the quarters in back-to-back appearances. On the other hand, TS Galaxy are no strangers to upsetting the odds, famously winning the 2019 Nedbank Cup as a second-tier side.  

With both sides undergoing some squad reshuffling in the off-season, this matchup is less about form and more about mental grit. It’s a fixture promising fireworks, tactical unpredictability and possibly the closest battle of the round.

Sunday’s first quarter-final unfolds at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, where Stellenbosch FC take on AmaZulu. After finishing as runners-up in last season’s MTN8, Stellies are back with a point to prove. Their slick, possession-based football has earned them admirers, but silverware continues to elude them. 

Against a side like AmaZulu, who have shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency, this match could become a tactical arm-wrestle. Both teams possess the kind of midfield muscle and width that can tip the balance in tight affairs.   

If Stellies can translate their growth into big-match maturity, they may just take another step toward the trophy.

Closing out the weekend’s action is the clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Richards Bay at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Brazilians, fresh off another dominant league campaign, are hungry to re-establish their cup-winning credentials after recent MTN8 disappointments. Their depth, discipline and big-game pedigree make them overwhelming favourites.  

Yet Richards Bay, making their MTN8 debut, will embrace the underdog tag and aim to cause one of the greatest shocks in tournament history. For them, this is a test of character and belief more than tactics. The question is whether their hunger can overcome the experience and clinical edge that Sundowns bring to every competition. One thing’s certain: the Natal Rich Boyz won’t go down without a fight. 

As the quarter-finals wrap up on Sunday, fans will already be looking ahead to potential semi-final matchups and the road to the final. Much of the focus will be on whether the Buccaneers can continue their extraordinary dominance under a new coach.  

There’s also intrigue around whether Sekhukhune can finally shake off their quarter-final curse or if TS Galaxy can channel their cup spirit once more. Stellenbosch, hungry for redemption, look like a side ready to go the distance if they can stay composed under pressure. And Richards Bay, despite being debutants, will want to make their first taste of MTN8 football unforgettable.   

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