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Sihle Nduli, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

MTN8 Final: Predicting Orlando Pirates' XI to face Stellenbosch FC - Abdeslam Ouaddou to drop Sihle Nduli and hand PSL Midfielder of the Season starting berth?

Orlando Pirates' quest for a fourth consecutive MTN8 title reach the final bid on Saturday when they come up against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium. 

After inheriting a team basking in the glory of lifting three straight MTN8 crowns, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is under pressure to emulate his predecessor, Jose Riveiro. 

They come up against a Stellenbosch side to avoid a Cup final heartbreak for a second season running.

GOAL predicts how Ouaddou might line up his men on Saturday as some of his key men are back from injury.

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  • Sipho Chaine, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    GOALKEEPER: Sipho Chaine

    The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has kept three clean sheets in Pirates' last two games and that is a huge positive going into a Cup final.    

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  • Bandile Shandu, Orlando Pirates, May 2025Backpagepix

    RIGHT-BACK: Bandile Shandu

    Shandu has made four appearances this season, including two starts and would be fancying being in the line-up ahead of Thabiso Lebitso.

  • Deon Hotto, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    LEFT-BACK: Deon Hotto

    Hotto's experience has always been handy and he is one of the first names on Ouaddou's team sheet. 

  • Nkosinathi Sibisi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-BACK: Nkosinathi Sibisi

    Sibisi retrurns from a spell on the sidelines due to injury which saw him miss Pirates six games plus Bafana Bafana camp. 

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-BACK: Mbekezeli Mbokazi

    The 19-year-old is brimming from a successful week which saw him getting rave reviews for his performance against Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. 

    This is his chance to lift a first major trophy and he would want to keep his head down and not let the buzz around him get into his attitude.  

  • Sihle Nduli, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    CENTRAL MIDFIELER: Sihle Nduli

    The 29-year-old midfield general has cemented his place in Ouaddou's starting line-up. 

    With PSL Midfielder of the Season Makhehlene Makhaula working on his fitness, Nduli should keep his place in the team.

  • Thalente Mbatha, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpagepix

    CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Thalente Mbatha

    Stellenbosch will know that if they give Mbatha some space, he has a powerful shot which can hurt them.    

    He could get the nod ahead of Si

  • Sipho Mbule, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    ATTACKING MIDFIELDER: Sipho Mbule

    After being benched in recent Pirates games, Mbule might have shown the Ouaddou some aspects of his game that the coach might have missed about him after starting and dishing out impressive performances for Bafana against Lesotho and Nigeria. 

  • Oswin Appollis, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    LEFT ATTACKER: Oswin Appollis

    Appollis came back from the Bafana camp with a goal he scored against Lesotho and would want to be influential in his hunt for a first major trophy of his career.   

  • Kamogelo Sebelebele, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    RIGHT ATTACKER: Kamogelo Sebelebele

    The speedy player has hit the ground running at Pirates, operating well as either a winger or right-back. 

  • Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-FORWARD: Tshegofatso Mabasa

    Pirates strikers have been firing blanks this term, but Mabasa was on target in last season's final and might be needed for such a grand stage.  

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