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Tshepo Mashiloane, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage
Kiplagat Sang

Predicting Orlando Pirates' MTN8 starting XI to face Mamelodi Sundowns – Tshepo Mashiloane and Tshegofatso Mabasa set to start?

Bucs and Masandawana clash in a do-or-die duel where the winner will progress to the final and the loser will be left to gnash teeth for crashing out of the tournament.

Orlando Pirates will be back in the MTN8 action with a high-stakes second leg of the semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns waiting for them on Saturday.

At Orlando Stadium, they survived by avoiding a defeat thanks to a late goal by their new signing, Kamogelo Sebelebele, whose effort saw the tie end in a 1-1 draw. 

Sebelele, who has been provisionally summoned by Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos in the World Cup qualifiers squad, is fast becoming a vital player for the Bucs.

In the first leg, Sebelebele was fielded at the expense of Oswin Appollis, but they were deployed together against Stellenbosch when Pirates won their first Premier Soccer League game this season.

Meanwhile, the second-leg duel against Sundowns is an even bigger game for Pirates because they are the MTN8 defending champions, and their target is to defend it. That means Bucs will not be taking chances, and Ouaddou is expected to field his strongest line-up for this particular mission.

Here, GOAL takes a look at how the Moroccan is likely to structure his starting XI against the Tshwane giants.

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  • Sipho Chaine, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    GOALKEEPER: Sipho Chaine

    He is probably one of Bucs' stars who knows that his position within the goalposts is certainly secure. 

    Ouaddou is expected not to tinker with his squad in a big way, and that makes the Bafana goalkeeper an ideal choice for the Sundowns game.

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  • Katlego Letllapa of Sekhukhune United and Tshepo Mashiloane of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    RIGHT-BACK: Tshepo Mashiloane

    Now that Deano van Rooyen is ruled out due to an injury, Mashiloane is expected to be reinstated into the starting team.

  • Deon Hotto, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    LEFT-BACK: Deon Hotto

    Pirates' utility player who has consistently proved why he is still a top player that the team can depend on. 

    Being a regular figure in the starting XI, the Namibian is set to be deployed for the high-stakes duty against the Brazilians.

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  • Lebone Seema, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-BACK: Lebone Seema

    With Nkosinathi Sibisi injured, Seema is poised for yet another start. 

  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-BACK: Mbekezeli Mbokazi

    The teenager's presence at the heart of Bucs' defence has always been felt; he is a leader, a hawk-eyed defender and one who can accurately read situations and stop the opponents from causing havoc.

    An undroppable player, and the expectations are that the captain will be up to the task again. 

  • Sihle Nduli, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Sihle Nduli

    One of the new signings who seems to have won the coach's trust. He has also not disappointed, as he is always impressive, and his position, bar injury, is certainly secure.   

  • Thalente Mbatha, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpagepix

    CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Thalente Mbatha

    He played in the first-leg match, and given his performance then, he is the ideal man to take charge of midfield duties.  

  • Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    ATTACKING ATTACKER: Relebohile Mofokeng

    He returned to the starting XI for the game against Stellenbosch in the league, and given that Ouaddou would want a sharp attacking unit, he and Sebelebele could be deployed together.

  • Kamogelo Sebelebele of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    RIGHT ATTACKER: Kamogelo Sebelebele

    Against Sundowns, Sebelebele was lined up at the expense of Appollis, and he did what he was asked to do.

    To make his appearance even more memorable, he scored the all-important goal. 

  • Oswin Appollis, Orlando Pirates, August 2025Backpage

    LEFT ATTACKER: Oswin Appollis

    The speedy attacker has been a consistent figure in Ouaddou's line-ups, although he is yet to get to the top form he showed last season.

  • Evidence Makgopa, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    CENTRE-FORWARD - Evidence Makgopa

    Initially, the coach preferred Boitumelo Radiopane as his main striker, but against Sundowns and Stellenbosch, he was dropped, and Makgopa played. 

    Makgopa is expected to play again, given that this is a game Ouaddou will not like to gamble with. 

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