As Moses Mabhida Stadium prepares to host its 10th MTN8 final, it will also mark the 10th time Orlando Pirates have played in the final at the 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final venue against Stellenbosch on Saturday (18:00).

Interestingly, Pirates’ last league trophy was also lifted at the Durban venue in the 2011/12 season when they defeated Golden Arrows in the final match. Legendary striker Benni McCarthy was the star of the show, scoring twice.

In these cup finals, Pirates have lost three times. One such loss came in the MTN8 against Platinum Stars in the 2013/14 season. The match ended in a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane was the hero. Pirates subsequently signed Mpontshane, who had been outstanding in that competition.

Another loss came in the following season in the same competition, this time against Kaizer Chiefs. Tefu Mashamaite headed home the winning goal, leaving him unmarked at the back post. To this day, it remains the quickest MTN8 final match in terms of ticket sales, with tickets selling out within two hours.

Pirates also lost at the 2010 World Cup venue to SuperSport United in the Nedbank Cup final in the 2016/17 season. Bradley Grobler, Jeremy Brockie, and Thuso Phala were unstoppable for Stuart Baxter’s side as they defeated Kjell Jonevret’s Pirates. The Swedish Pirates coach was subsequently fired.

Interestingly, Stellenbosch FC have enjoyed their own success at the Durban iconic venue. They won the Carling Knockout Cup last season by beating TS Galaxy on penalties, claiming their first-ever trophy.

List of Orlando Pirates’ Record in Cup Finals at Moses Mabhida Stadium:

MTN8 2010/11 Final – Pirates 1-1 Moroka Swallows (Pirates won 4-2 on penalty shootouts)

2011/12 season – Telkom Knockout – Pirates 3-1 Bidvest Wits

2013/14 season – MTN8 final – Platinum Stars 1-1 Pirates (Stars won 3-1 on penalties)

2013/14 season – Nedbank Cup – Pirates 3-1 Bidvest Wits

2014/15 season – MTN8 final – Pirates 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs

2017 – Nedbank Cup – SuperSport United 4-1 Pirates

2020/21 season – MTN8 – Pirates 2-1 Bloemfontein Celtic

2022/23 season – MTN8 – Pirates 1-0 AmaZulu

2023/24 – MTN8 – Pirates 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns (Pirates won 3-1 on penalty shootouts)