MTN8 semi-finals: confirmed dates, venues and kick-off times

The Premier Soccer League has confirmed the venues and kick-off times for the MTN8 semi-finals, completing the picture for a last four that will be settled over two legs across the next two weekends. Sekhukhune United meet Orlando Pirates in one tie, while Mamelodi Sundowns face Golden Arrows in the other.

Every one of the four matches kicks off at 15:00, with the two first legs this weekend and the return legs the weekend after.

MTN8 semi-final first legs

• Saturday, 22 August - Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates, Peter Mokaba Stadium, 15:00
• Sunday, 23 August - Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 15:00

MTN8 semi-final second legs

• Saturday, 29 August - Orlando Pirates v Sekhukhune United, Orlando Stadium, 15:00
• Sunday, 30 August - Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns, King Zwelithini Stadium, 15:00

How the four semi-finalists got here

Three of the four quarter-finals needed extra time, and two of the four ties were won by the away side.

• Orlando Pirates 2-1 Durban City (aet) - level at 1-1 after ninety minutes before Pirates found the winner in extra time.
• Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Polokwane City (aet) - 2-2 at full time, with Sundowns edging it in the additional half hour.
• AmaZulu 3-4 Sekhukhune United (aet) - the tie of the round. Sekhukhune won 4-3 at Princess Magogo Stadium after the tie stood at 3-3 over ninety minutes.
• Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Golden Arrows - Arrows won inside ninety minutes at FNB Stadium to knock Chiefs out.

That leaves Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows, both of whom won away from home, up against the two clubs who have dominated this competition for the better part of a decade.

Pirates chasing a fifth title in six seasons

Orlando Pirates go into the semi-finals as the team to beat. The Buccaneers have won the MTN8 five times in the last six editions, including each of the last four in a row from 2022 to 2025. No club has come close to that run in the modern history of the tournament.

Mamelodi Sundowns are the only other side in this year's last four with a recent MTN8 title to their name, having lifted it in 2021 - the one edition in the past six that Pirates did not win.

MTN8 winners, 2016 to 2025

• 2025 - Orlando Pirates
• 2024 - Orlando Pirates
• 2023 - Orlando Pirates
• 2022 - Orlando Pirates
• 2021 - Mamelodi Sundowns
• 2020 - Orlando Pirates
• 2019 - SuperSport United
• 2018 - Cape Town City
• 2017 - SuperSport United
• 2016 - Bidvest Wits

Across the past decade the trophy has been shared by five clubs - Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United, Cape Town City, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates - but the balance has tilted heavily towards Soweto in recent seasons.

What is at stake

For Sekhukhune United and Golden Arrows this is a rare shot at a major final, and at the prize money that comes with it. For Pirates it is the chance to extend a period of dominance that is already without precedent in the competition. For Sundowns, who have swept almost everything else in South African football, it is the one trophy that has repeatedly got away.

Diski Zone covers the MTN8 from the first round to the final. Follow every fixture, result and match report across South African football.