'We will do our best to take the trophy home', says Stellenbosch's Omega Mdaka ahead of MTN8 final

Pirates have already defeated Stellies, in the league this season and were crowned MTN8 winners last term with 3-1 a win over Steve Barker's charges.

Last term though the Cape Winelands club beat and drew with the Buccaneers and will hope to use victory in this year's final to supercharge their Betway Premiership campaign.

Stellies have started slowly this season with just one win in five games, leaving the club in 13th place on the league standings.

But they head into this game knowing that a strong performance against Bucs would see them claim their second major trophy - after winning the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023.

Mdaka said in the Sowetan: "Going into the game and looking at how we played the past two [cup] games, against AmaZulu [and Sekhukhune United], I think it was a sort of a comeback, showing the fight in the team.

"And then against Sekhukhune, we were showing how much we want this again because we really need that silverware to get us going in the league. So, as a team, we are very excited for the final.

"All I can say is that the game is going to be exciting. Looking at every game that we play against Pirates, the scoreboard is not too far off; it's always by one goal. We will do our best to take the trophy home."

The match kicks off at 18:00.