Orlando Pirates will be aiming to re-write history when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers will be gunning for the record-increasing fifth MTN8 title in a row.
Last season they beat Stellenbosch FC 3-0 in the final in Mbombela to lift it for the fourth straight time.
Pirates have won the MTN8 title for the past four seasons, which is already a record in South African football.
Defender Thapelo Xoki, who is making a return from a lengthy lay-off due to injury, says they are aiming to re-write history by winning it for the fifth time in succession when they meet a tricky Sundowns.
“Everyone is ready trying to make sure they are available for selection, we are looking forward to writing history again for the club and ourselves so we will do our best to make sure we make our supporters proud.”
The Buccaneers will be looking to continue their dominance over their rivals Sundowns in knockout cup competitions in recent seasons. They beat the African Champions in the MTN8 final in Durban in 2023.
They also eliminated the Brazilians twice in the MTN 8 semi-finals in 2022 and 2025. The reigning league champions also got the better of Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final in 2024.
But Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Saturday’s encounter will be a different ball game.
“This thing can help mentally but the reality will be how you approach the match, how you prepare for it, how you study your opponents and how you can use their weakness. I think it can help psychologically but today’s match you have two teams eleven vs eleven, you must have the fighting spirit.”
Tickets for the final were sold out within hours and the match will kick-off at 6pm on Saturday.
