Ready for final before the final

MTN8: BUCS, DOWNS TO BATTLE AT SOLD-OUT ORLANDO

- Khaya Ndubane

Orlando Pirates will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of what has been termed the "final before the final" this weekend.

The two rivals will face off in an MTN8 semifinal first leg clash at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday (kick-off is at 3pm).

Pirates and Sundowns go into this encounter in Soweto on the back of conflicting midweek results. The Buccaneers lost away to Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership clash in Bloemfontein, while the Brazilians eased past AmaZulu at home in Pretoria, beating them 2-0.

Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is looking forward to this clash between the "biggest" clubs in Africa.