Sundowns End Pirates’ MTN8 Reign To Claim Title At Moses Mabhida

Mamelodi Sundowns brought Orlando Pirates’ four-year dominance of the MTN8 to an end, securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory in the final at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.

The triumph marks Sundowns’ second MTN8 title under the current sponsorship, ending the Buccaneers’ pursuit of a record-extending fifth consecutive crown. The result also served as sweet revenge for the Brazilians, who saw Pirates end their eight-year domestic league reign by snatching the Premiership title last season.

The final pitted the two undisputed titans of South African football against each other—a fitting showcase between last season’s domestic treble winners and the reigning CAF Champions League holders.

Sundowns made a dream start, opening the scoring in the 11th minute. After Pirates failed to clear a set-piece, Thabang Matuludi flicked the ball into the path of Teboho Mokoena, who finished from close range to put the Brazilians ahead.

Sundowns nearly doubled their lead soon after when Nuno Santos unleashed a powerful first-time strike, but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine produced a brilliant save to deny him. Pirates pushed for a response through Deon Hotto, a five-time winner of the competition, but his curling free-kick rattled the top of the net and went wide.

Sundowns controlled the tempo and dominated the midfield battles through the opening half, heading into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

Seeking an attacking spark, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou brought on Oswin Appollis for Kamogelo Sebelebele at the restart. Meanwhile, Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso was forced into a substitution, bringing on Divine Lunga to replace the injured Aubrey Modiba.

Pirates were handed a golden opportunity to equalize when opening goalscorer Mokoena was penalized for a foul on Yanela Mbuthuma inside the penalty area. However, Ronwen Williams came to Sundowns’ rescue, diving to tip Monnapule Saleng’s penalty onto the post and clear of danger.

Sundowns missed a chance to put the match out of reach in the 76th minute when Brayan León was set up by Mokoena, only to skew his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

As the match ebbed and flowed, Pirates applied heavy late pressure. Substitute Simphiwe Masilela threatened with a powerful strike from a Hotto cross, forcing a superb acrobatic save from Williams. Moments later, Masilela carved through the Sundowns defense again, firing a shot that beat Williams but drifted just wide of the target.

With Pirates throwing bodies forward in stoppage time, Sundowns caught them on the counter-attack. Thapelo Mokobodi brought down Siyanda Ndlovu inside the box, prompting referee Abongile Tom to point to the spot.

Iqraam Rayners stepped up and calmly beat Chaine from 12 yards, sealing a 2-0 victory and bringing the MTN8 trophy back to Chloorkop.