South Africa's 2020-21 season opens with MTN8 thrillers

MTN8 Trophy during the 2020 MTN8 Launch

Saturday Oct 17, 2020. 09:00

South Africa’s 2020-21 top-flight season will get underway this weekend with four MTN8 quarterfinals, the pick of which sees Orlando Pirates host Cape Town City in Saturday’s early-evening kick-off.

The Buccaneers made major strides under coach Josef Zinnabuer last season and will be targeting silverware in this campaign, with the MTN8 – a competition they haven’t won since 2011 – representing their first chance at glory.

Yet Cape Town City have proven strong performers in cup competitions in recent years and will have no fear of facing the Soweto giants, having lost only one of their nine matches against Pirates dating back to 2016.

Saturday’s early game marks the top-flight bow of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, who will host SuperSport United in Thohoyandou. TTM bought out Bidvest Wits’ Premier Soccer League (PSL) status and are an unpredictable element heading into this season, but United will be favourites thanks to their stability and progress under Kaitano Tembo.

Sunday afternoon sees new Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt have his first official match in charge of the Amakhosi, as they face Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium. Hunt is a serial winner in the PSL, but being at the helm of the biggest club in the country is a whole new challenge.

“I’m not scared of it, I’m going to face it head on in the good times and bad times. The bad times will teach you more than the good times, but hopefully we’ll have more good than bad,” said Hunt.

The last quarterfinal on Sunday evening sees another unique managerial debut as Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi begin their co-coaching tenure in charge of last season’s treble champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

‘Downs lost the services of tactical master Pitso Mosimane to Al Ahly and will enter a new era with a clash against Bloemfontein Celtic – the same side they defeated in the Nedbank Cup final just a few weeks back.

MTN8 quarterfinal fixtures

All times CAT

Saturday 17 October

15:00: Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v SuperSport United

18:00: Orlando Pirates v Cape Town City

Sunday 18 October

15:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United

18:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Bloemfontein Celtic