EXCLUSIVE: Orlando Pirates out for revenge against Durban City in MTN8 clash, says Lehlohonolo Majoro

Orlando Pirates will have revenge on their minds when they take on Durban City in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Saturday, according to former Bafana Bafana striker Lehlohonolo Majoro.

“Heading into the quarter-finals against Durban City—the team that almost cost them the championship by drawing with them when they needed three points—this is a great platform to rectify that mistake,” Majoro said in an exclusive interview with IOL.

Pirates finally ended Mamelodi Sundowns’ almost decade-long dominance in the Betway Premiership last season and are eager to build on that success. Having opened their new league campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Milford FC last weekend, the Soweto Giants have hit the ground running.

“They’ve showcased that they’re still in rampage mode by winning their opening league game,” said Majoro. “It’s going to be a very interesting match, and I believe they will build on last season’s momentum and keep winning.”

Majoro’s Insights on South African Football’s Competitive Landscape

Majoro knows the pressure of the big stage intimately. At the peak of his career between 2011 and 2016, he featured prominently for both Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates, alongside top-flight stints with AmaZulu, Bidvest Wits, and Cape Town City, while earning 13 caps for the national team.

Sundowns had captured eight consecutive league titles before Pirates finally dethroned them. While Masandawana remain the benchmark given their formidable squad depth, Majoro emphasises that a more competitive league ultimately elevates South African football as a whole.

“Not undermining other teams—we’ve seen AmaZulu under Coach Arthur putting their hands up to showcase that they’re not just here to make up the numbers,” Majoro explained. “Sekhukhune is among those contenders, Polokwane has always been a surprise package, and Stellenbosch missed out on the top eight for the first time. I’m sure Stellies will be desperate to fight their way back into the top eight and return to winning ways.”

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport