Mamelodi Sundowns ended their five-year wait for MTN8 glory after defeating defending champions Orlando Pirates 2-0 in a thrilling final at the sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners were the heroes for the Brazilians, scoring in either half to hand Sundowns their first MTN8 title since 2021 and deny Pirates an unprecedented fifth consecutive triumph in the competition.
Mokoena broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, giving Sundowns an early advantage in a match that lived up to expectations as two of South African football’s biggest clubs battled for the prestigious Wafa Wafa trophy.
The midfielder’s goal put the Brazilians in control and left Pirates facing the difficult task of finding a way past a determined Sundowns defence.
The Buccaneers, coached by Abdeslam Ouaddou, were eager to extend their dominance of the competition, while Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns were equally determined to end their long wait for MTN8 silverware.
With the match entering its closing stages, Pirates continued searching for an equaliser, but Sundowns remained resolute as the minutes ticked away.
The decisive moment arrived with approximately five minutes remaining when Sundowns were awarded a penalty.
Rayners stepped up and converted from the spot to double Sundowns’ lead, effectively sealing the contest and sparking celebrations among the Brazilians’ players, technical team and supporters.
The late penalty proved to be the final blow for Pirates, whose hopes of making history with a fifth successive MTN8 crown were shattered.
For Sundowns, however, the victory represented a significant milestone after several years without lifting the competition’s trophy.
The triumph also provided Cardoso’s team with a major boost as they continued their pursuit of domestic honours.
The sold-out Durban stadium provided a fitting setting for the showdown, with supporters from both sides turning out in large numbers to witness the latest chapter in the rivalry between the two South African football powerhouses.
In the end, Mokoena’s early strike and Rayners’ late penalty made the difference, as Sundowns reclaimed the MTN8 crown and brought Pirates’ reign as champions to an end.
