Former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Manqoba Ngwenya has fired a warning to Orlando Pirates, saying that Kabo Yellow are no strangers to the grand stages of African football, with mastery of winning the PSL.
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns face off at the FNB Stadium at 19:30 this evening. Abdeslam Ouaddous’s side could go nine points ahead, while Miguel Cardoso’s players aim to cut the log gap to six.
Important to read: Big game: Pirates vs Sundowns expected starting 11s
A THIRD MEETING OF THE SEASON
It’s February and already the third showdown between these two high-flying Gauteng giants, thanks to MTN8’s two-legged semi-finals. Orlando Pirates had won the second leg on penalties after both ties, on 16 and 23 August 2025, ended in a 1-1 draw.
The league clash on 1 November 2025 at Loftus Versfeld also ended in the same scoreline, where Orlando Pirates’ 20-year-old youngster Cemran Dansin produced a magical long-range volley on this weaker left foot.
FORMER MAMELODI SUNDOWNS WINGER MANQOBA NGWENYA WARNS ORLANDO PIRATES
“A big game, a big game coming up. Obviously, I’m excited to watch this big game, the crème de la crème of South African players,” Ngwenya said on the Soccer Beat podcast.
The 44-year-old from Soweto added that the quality of South African football will be showcased on Wednesday.
Ngwenya said Sundowns have done their group stage job in the Champions League. Now is the time to focus on the local front and show that they can compete in major competitions.
Ngwenywa, whose PSL experience included stints with Wits University and Mpumalanga Black Aces, described the league as a marathon, emphasising that it is not won overnight and that it comes with pressure.
“Sundowns have won this league eight times in a row, my friends. We know how to win this thing,” he continued.
Important to read: Evidence in numbers: Pirates are stronger than Sundowns
“Some people, I don’t know if they know. When was the last time they won it? [2011/12]. I’m not sure they know how to win it, so they must be very careful.
“Come Wednesday, my focus now is full on the PSL title, and definitely, boys will be separated from men,” Ngwenya concluded.
DO YOU AGREE?
Share your thoughts in the comments block below.
