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Orlando Pirates vs Durban City MTN8 Predictions - Defending champs Pirates to sink Durban City

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 07 Aug 2026

Simon Lewis 07 Aug 2026

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Orlando Pirates have won the MTN8 for the last four seasons.
Durban City lost their opening match of the League season.
Pirates are strong favourites to take the win, with both teams to score.

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Orlando Pirates agains UD Las Palmas (Getty Images).

Orlando Pirates vs Durban City Predictions

This should be a routine win for Pirates as they look to take the MTN8 Cup for the fifth season in a row. Pirates made a confident start to their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Milford FC, with Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi on the scoresheet.

That result gave Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side a solid platform heading into knockout football, where expectations remain high after their outstanding 2025/26 campaign.

Durban City arrive after a 1-0 away defeat to Sekhukhune United in their league opener. That result was a setback for new head coach Khalil Ben Youssef, but City still carry cup pedigree after winning last season’s Nedbank Cup and qualifying for their first MTN8 appearance.

Orlando Pirates won their League opener 2-0 against Milford FC.
Orlando Pirates have won 3 of their last 5 matches.
Orlando Pirates have conceded just 1 goal in their last 3 matches.
Durban City lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune in their League opener.
Durban City have lost their last 3 matches on the bounce.
Durban City have scored just 1 goal in their last 5 matches.

Head-to-Head

Orlando Pirates have won three and lost one of their last five matches against Durban City, with one match ending in a draw. Durban City have failed to score in their last two matches against Pirates. The fixture also has an interesting recent history. Pirates beat Durban City 2-0 away last season, but City later frustrated them in a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium despite heavy pressure from the Soweto giants. That result showed they can be difficult to break down when organised.

Orlando Pirates Form

Pirates enter this quarter-final as favourites, backed by home advantage, strong early-season form and their excellent recent record in the MTN8. The defending champions have become the team to beat in this competition and will be determined to make another deep run.

Ouaddou’s side have undergone changes, most notably the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgium, which leaves Pirates needing fresh creative influence in attack. That places added responsibility on Appollis, Moremi and Evidence Makgopa to provide the spark in the final third.

Moremi, last season’s MTN8 Player of the Tournament, remains a key figure, while Appollis has already made an immediate impact. If Pirates start quickly and impose their rhythm, they should have enough quality and experience to control the tie.

Durban City Form

Durban City face a difficult assignment, but they will not arrive at Orlando Stadium short of belief. Their Nedbank Cup triumph last season proved they can handle knockout pressure and this first MTN8 appearance gives them another chance to make history.

Ben Youssef is still settling into the role after replacing Pitso Dladla, and the early defeat to Sekhukhune showed there is work to do. However, the squad retains much of the core that delivered promotion, league stability and cup success.

Captain Siphamandla Ncanana has spoken about the importance of embracing the occasion, while Jean Lwamba, Puleng Marema and Thabang Matuludi could all be important if City are to threaten on the counter. Their best route to an upset may be defensive discipline, patience and taking any rare chances that come their way.

Verdict

Orlando Pirates v Durban City

Orlando Pirates Durban City are tipped to win at odds of 0000, with x1, x3, y1 and y3 backed to star with bat and ball.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.