IDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye has predicted the MTN8 matches involving the defending champions Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, saying he believes the former will go on to defend their title.
The Buccaneers are eying their fifth successive Wafa Wafa trophy and will start the defence against Durban City at the Amstel Arena on Saturday (15:00).
- ALSO READ: Ncanana Clarifies Pirates Comments After Backlash
- Modiba on Sundowns Domestic Cups Struggles
Khanye says based on how Pirates started the 2026/27 campaign and how they have bolstered their team for this season they should go all the way, giving them a 2-0 win over the KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit in the quarter-final.
“Pirates are the favourites for me to lift the trophy,” said Khanye on IDiski TV.
“They didn’t change a lot in their team. They lost their star player Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] and I saw them beef up.
“I know [Mamelodi] Sundowns might be a threat to everyone, even in CAF but there’s the matter of momentum. Pirates have started the season very well and I haven’t seen Sundowns. So for me I think Pirates will defend the MTN8 title, it’s straight forward for me.
“This is not the last game of the season in the league or a Cup final they [City] have got nothing to lose, they’ll want to play an open game. I don’t think they’ll play a low-block.
“They played that way towards the end of last season because they had this mind-set that they’d disturb Orlando Pirates because they had nothing to lose having secured a top 8 spot.
“But pound for pound they can’t match Orlando Pirates. Their players aren’t the same and they are coming up against a team that has won a treble, it’s going to be so difficult. Pirates will win this game 2-0.”
‘Chiefs will be eliminated’
Meanwhile Amakhosi are returning to the tournament for the first time in three years and open their account against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Sunday (18:00). Khanye believes his former side will stumble at this stage.
“If you look at how Chiefs won last week [in the league] it was because of the mistakes of Kruger [United],” added Khanye.
“For me Chiefs will be eliminated from the tournament with possibility of extra-time. There won’t be a heavy score and this will be a real test for Chiefs.
“The difference will be slim but Arrows will win this game.”
You can view Khanye’s full MTN 8 predictions on IDiski TV official YouTube channel.