Fresh from lifting the MTN8 final on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Orlando Pirates were handed a tough draw with defending champions Al Ahly in Group C after the draw was conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Monday.The Buccaneers were also drawn alongside CR Belouizdad (Algeria) and Stade D’Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in Group C.
After coming from the bench to help Orlando Pirates win the MTN8 title when they beat Stellenbosch 3-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, Relebohile Mofokeng refused to take credit for their glory saying it was a team effort.
After becoming the first team to win the MTN8 title three times in succession, Orlando Pirates full-back Deon Hotto said they will cherish the moment for the rest of their lives.
In the wake of making history by becoming the first team to win the MTN8 three times on the trot, Orlando Pirates tactician José Riveiro emphasised the importance of going all out to try to win the league title.
Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is of the view that referee Abongile Tom spoiled their MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, insinuating he robbed them as they lost 3-1.
Orlando Pirates maintained their standing as South Africa's cup kings of recent years as they recorded yet another wonderful piece of history by becoming the first club to win the MTN8 for three consecutive seasons.
There will be little or no room for error when Orlando Pirates take on Stellenbosch in their highly anticipated MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (6pm).
Mamelodi Sundowns' Manqoba Mngqithi has tipped Orlando Pirates to challenge them for the championship, albeit suggesting that Bucs' “tendency of losing against small teams” will give the Brazilians an edge.
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has predicted that the Betway Premiership title race will be wide open this season, insisting it wasn't only Bucs' responsibility to stop Mamelodi Sundowns' spun-out supremacy.
The experience gained in the past two seasons, where Orlando Pirates finished second behind seven-time successive Premiership winners Mamelodi Sundowns, will help them in the 2024-2025 campaign, according to Bucs coach Jose Riveiro.
After their elimination in the MTN8 after losing 2-0 to Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday to lose 3-1 on the aggregate, Cape Town City assistant coach Diogo Peral says they are positive they will challenge for honours this season.
Having established himself as a cup specialist with four domestic trophies, Orlando Pirates tactician Jose Riveiro has downplayed the "specialist tag" insisting he is nowhere near that as his responsibility is to make sure the club continues to win trophies.
Such is the form and momentum Orlando Pirates have developed in the last two years under Jose Riveiro's guidance, particularly in cups, that they hardly broke a sweat to qualify for their third successive MTN8 final at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says they have five players in the Bafana Bafana squad because of collective team performances.
