This past weekend marked the return of PSL season, kick starting with the MTN 8 knockout tournament, a tournament that features Top 8 teams from previous season’s league. Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United were the first to teams to go head-to-head in what was a thrilling match at Orlando Stadium on 3rd August 2024 18:00pm.
Pirates led the game 1-0 in the dying minutes of the first half through Ndah who was able to position himself and capitalize on United defensive errors, but SuperSport was able to bounce back in the second half from header to newly signed former Pirates star Vincent Pule who did not want to celebrate his debut goal in his new blue uniform against his former employee. Both teams went pound to pound inquest for their second goal but either side had success as the match ended 1-1 in 90 minutes forcing the game go to extra time.
The quarterfinals came to life through Saleng and Makgopa in the first half of extra time who were clinical in front of goals, to give pirates a world class finish and beating Matsatsantsa a pitori 3-1 to advance to the semifinals.
On Sunday 4th August 2024 it was battle of the fittest between Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy as they took center stage in second game of the MTN 8 tournament at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. It was Kamogelo Sebelebele of TS Galaxy who opened the scoring on the 18th minute of first half to make it 1-0 through a beautiful hard and low side footed shot on the far-right corner of Stephens’s goal posts. But seven minutes later Jayden Adams equalized and later before halftime Andre de Jong made it 2-1 for Stellies to lead the game. Stellenbosch cemented their victory and booked their spot to the MTN 8 semifinals on the 57th minute into the second half when Fawaaz Basadien in watertight angle blasted a powerful shot through two defenders, TS Galaxy Goalkeeper Van der Linde to make it 3-1.
Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC will face either winner of matches between Sekhukhune United and Cape Town City taking place Saturday the 10th of August 2024 3pm, and the current PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City on Sunday 11th August 2024 3pm.
The semifinalist of the MTN8 will face each other in a home and away legs to determine who will advance to the prestigious final and hope not only to lift the MTN8 trophy but walk away with a whooping increased prize money from R8 million to R10 million.
