Defending champions Orlando Pirates and debutants Durban City have announced their starting line-ups for the MTN8 opening clash at the Orlando Amstel Arena.
Pirates will challenge to win the MTN8 for the fifth time in a row but they will have to start by defeating Durban City this afternoon.
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The Sea Robbers have been dominant in this tournament having won it five times in the last six seasons, and 14 times overall – just one less than record champions Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers opened the season with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Milford FC in the Betway Premiership, while Durban City suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sekhukhune United.
This match will also see City captain Siphamandla Ncanana return to the Orlando Arena after his ‘Pirates is just a name’ comments from last season and even though he later clarified his statement, several Pirates supporters, and even club legends took offence.
These two sides faced each other twice in 2025/26, with Pirates winning 2-0 in Durban before playing to a 0-0 draw at Orlando Amstel Arena.
Here is how they line up:
Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Seema, Sebelebele, Ndaba, Mbatha, Dansin, Maswanganyi, Appollis, Moremi, Mbuthuma.
Subs: Dladla, Kgositsile, Masilela, Zulu, Mokobodi, Radiopane, Lungu, Hotto
Durban City XI: Asare, Msomi, Mokone, Ncanana, Shandu, Poggenpoel, Sanger, Nodada, Sifumba, Sirino, Lubumba
Subs: Dreyer, Gcaba, Maseko, Mthembu, Mofokeng, Makua, Morris, Green, Domingo