IDiski TV analysts Junior Khanye and Benedict Tso Vilakazi have predicted the opening round of the MTN 8, with both of them giving Orlando Pirates a win over Polokwane City.
Three time champions Pirates who finished second in the league last season welcome Polokwane City who ended in seventh place at a sold out Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. For the former Kaizer Chiefs winger the Buccaneers will win 2-1 with new signing Sipho Mbule on the score sheet with a rocket goal. Khanye is not expecting City to get out of Orlando alive unless they drag the game to a penalty shoot-out.
“I think Mbule is going to score, write it down,” said Khanye on IDiski TV.
“He is going to start the game and he is going to score. It’s a sold-out game because people want to see that boy and the new Orlando Pirates. They want to see the likes of Tito [Patrick Maswanganyi] , [Relebohile] Mofokeng and [Oswin] Appollis.
“Pirates is an exciting team we can’t even lie, even more so with Mbule inside. So I see Mbule scoring and a rocket, write it down.
“Going to Orlando is not easy – it wasn’t for Pyramids, Ah Ahly and TP Mazembe and it’s thanks to the Orlando Pirates fans.
“Without Appollis City will rely on counter attacks or even try to hold Orlando Pirates until penalties but unfortunately it’s hard to defend from the first whistle until 90 minutes.
“City might get a goal because Pirates has a tendency of conceding but Pirates will score two and it will end 2-1 for Pirates.”
Meanwhile former Pirates captain and midfielder Vilakazi has worries there may be a surprise result, saying Phuti Mohafe is still undermined and may pose problems with unknown players.
“I’m a bit worried about Phuti [Mohafe],” said Tso.
“Phuti is one coach that we undermine and he has been consistent for the past three seasons and always there in the top five.
“And we don’t give him that credit that he really deserves. I’m not really confident that Pirates will win because it’s difficult to play against someone you don’t really know, he’ll come with unknown players.
“But Pirates will win 2-1 but they will have to work.”
You can view Junior and Tso’s MTN 8 quarter-finals predictions on IDiski TV official YouTube channel.
