Tashreeq Matthews under no illusion about Orlando Pirates quality

10.10.26 12:00 MTN 8 Cup South Africa

Orlando Pirates

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Mamelodi Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews is well aware of the threat posed by Orlando Pirates ahead of the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The Brazilians head into the match in desperate search of their first domestic cup title since the 2021/22 campaign, while the Buccaneers are gunning for a record-extending fifth consecutive top eight trophy.

Notably, Pirates pipped Sundowns to the MTN8 crown in the 2023/24 season, before sending them packing in the semi-final stage of the competition in the previous term.

With the humdinger decider impending, Matthews is under no illusion about the Sea Robbers' quality and exploits in the MTN8, and believes it will be a game of fine margins.

“A very good team, a very strong team, they are the defending champions and they've been doing well. So, they know how to win the MTN8, we just have to fight and get there,” said the speedy attacker.

"We will try and do our best, and at the end of the day whoever is going to take their chances is going to win.

Having previously been the subject of criticism from a section of the Masandawana faithful owing to his lack of cutting edge in the final third, the former Borussia Dortmund winger says he's unbothered by the critics.

“I don't really look at what the outside world says, you see it of course, but I don't let it affect me. I've been through that before, so I don't let it affect me, I just continue, I do my best,” Matthews added.

"If I score I score, if I assist I assist but for me the most important is as long the team is winning, the team is doing well - I continue.

Matthews will undoubtedly be looking to have a say in the MTN8 final, having won two Betway Premiership titles, the CAF Champions League, and the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup since joining Sundowns in January 2024.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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