The start of the latest edition of the MTN8 will come with Orlando Pirates standing out for their prominence in the competition with their biggest rivals – Kaizer Chiefs, biting their fingers ‘from outside’.
Pirates will be the hosts as they open the curtains for the new season welcoming Polokwane City to Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15h00).
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It has been almost 10 weeks since the end of last season so the start of the new campaign will quench the thirst of the football following fraternity especially those who follow Pirates.
The Bucs have Abdeslam Ouaddou succeeding Jose Riveiro, the man who delivered three consecutive titles in the MTN8 and so the Moroccan-Frenchman has expectations to carry on his lanky frame.
Pirates will get on with the MTN8 business having an unmatched footprint in this competition through the PSL era years.
Only once have the Sea Robbers not qualified for the top eight and this happened after the disastrous 2026/17 season.
Their Soweto rivals Chiefs, are on to their fifth failure after another bottom half finish last season.
Amakhosi have finished ninth in the league on four occasions and then 10th once.
For all the success in the PSL era years which has included eight titles in a row, Sundowns have had their rocky years.
Not once, not twice, and not even thrice but rather on four occasions have The Brazilians finished outside the top 8 and thus missed out on the season opening competition.
They finished down in 10th position two years in a row in 2002/03 and 2003/04 then ninth twice in 2008/09 and 2012/13.
In chasing their fourth in a row, Pirates have also been the most successful club in the Top 8 through the PSL era years.
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They have also won the most titles since the mobile telecommunications provider took over as sponsors with six titles.
There will be only four games to be played for Pirates to defend their title – one in the quarterfinals, two in the semis and the final.
Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
