Orlando Pirates have undergone a major squad overhaul since their last MTN8 meeting with Sekhukhune United at Orlando Amstel Arena.
When the Buccaneers welcome Babina Noko for Saturday’s second-leg semifinal, only eight players from the Pirates squad that demolished Sekhukhune 5-0 at the same venue in 2023 remain at the club.
Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00, with Pirates taking a narrow 1-0 advantage into the decisive encounter after winning the first leg away from home.
The current Buccaneers squad, however, looks very different from the one that produced one of their most emphatic MTN8 victories.
Pirates’ 2023 demolition
The last time Sekhukhune visited Orlando Amstel Arena in the MTN8, Pirates ran riot.
Zakhele Lepasa was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick, while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Monnapule Saleng also found the net.
None of those three players remains with Orlando Pirates.
The 5-0 victory was part of a successful MTN8 campaign for Jose Riveiro’s side, who went on to lift the trophy.
Fast-forward to 2026 and just eight members of that Pirates squad are still at the club.
The eight Pirates survivors
The players who remain from the 2023 team are:
- Sipho Chaine
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
- Tapelo Xoki
- Deon Hotto
- Kabelo Dlamini
- Thalente Mbatha
- Makhehlene Makhaula
- Evidence Makgopa
Only three of those players — Chaine, Sibisi and Xoki — started the 5-0 victory three years ago.
However, even that trio is not guaranteed to start Saturday’s semifinal, with Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou continuing to reshape his squad.
Injuries complicate Pirates selection
Pirates will also have to contend with injuries ahead of the crucial second leg.
Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha are currently unavailable, while Dlamini, Xoki and Makhaula have fallen down the pecking order.
That leaves Chaine, Sibisi and Hotto as the most likely members of the 2023 squad to feature from the start.
Ouaddou appears increasingly willing to trust the younger players recruited during the latest transfer window, adding another layer of uncertainty to his team selection.
Can Pirates repeat their 2023 dominance?
Pirates have the advantage heading into Saturday’s match, but Sekhukhune will be determined to overturn the first-leg deficit and book their place in the MTN8 final.
The 5-0 scoreline from 2023 is now history — and very few players remain who experienced it first-hand.
Will Pirates finish the job, or can Sekhukhune produce a comeback at Orlando Amstel Arena?
