MTN 8: Sundowns seize advantage with 1st leg draw at Orlando Pirates

South Africa’s two top clubs clashed for the first time in the 2025-26 season on Saturday at the semifinals of the MTN 8 with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates finishing all square with a 1-1 first leg result at the Orlando Stadium.

Teboho Mokoena’s first half header from Marcelo Allende’s corner kick put Sundowns ahead close to halftime but the hosts salvaged a result with new signing Kamogelo Sebelebele’s late equalizer.

After two defeats to begin their league campaign in the Betway Premiership, however, the result will not satisfy Pirates supporters who are concerned about a negative start to the era of new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. It will be an uphill task for Ouaddou and his charges next Saturday when the Bucs travel to Pretoria for the second leg on Sundowns’ soil.

The first half on Saturday was particularly concerning with reigning champions Sundowns dominating the run of play. While their early league results have also been less than convincing, Sundowns showed their superiority even if midfielder Jayden Adams was forced off due to injury inside the opening fifteen minutes.

Mokoena’s header confirmed the visitors’ superiority to give them the edge at halftime and the lead could have been doubled if Tashreeq Matthews’ poor finishing didn’t show up again on a golden opportunity set up by a smart pass from Iqraam Rayners.

But after halftime, the defending MTN 8 champions finally woke up and gave their home support some signs of the team that has given Sundowns issues over the past two seasons. Oswin Appollis and Sebelebele tested Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams who did well to keep Sundowns ahead.

The equalizer would arrive in the 87th minute through Sebelebele, making his first competitive start for Pirates since joining from TS Galaxy. A long ball from the defense by Mbekezile Mbokazi caught Sundowns left back Divine Lunga out of position and Sebelebele’s pace put him beyond reach of the Zimbabwean defender and the rest of the Masandawana defense before finishing past Williams to level the match.

The two teams meet again next Saturday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.