Pirates aim to close gap on Sundowns in MTN8 final record

The 2026 MTN8 final will give Orlando Pirates the chance to narrow Mamelodi Sundowns’ advantage in their South African cup-final history when the two sides meet on 10 October, with R10 million at stake.

The finalists were confirmed after the semi-finals were completed over the weekend, setting up another meeting between two of the biggest clubs in the domestic game.

Despite their long-standing rivalry, Pirates and Sundowns have faced one another in only five major cup finals since South African cup competitions began in 1971. Sundowns have won three of those showdowns, while Pirates have claimed two.

Pirates’ first cup-final victory over their rivals came only three years ago. Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side now have the opportunity to make the record more even in the sixth final between the clubs.

Their first final meeting came in 1998, when the competition was known as the BOB Save Super Bowl. The contest eventually required a replay, extra time and a penalty shootout before Sundowns prevailed.

Neither team could be separated after 240 minutes of open play across the original match and replay. Sundowns eventually won 6-5 on penalties in the replay, which was played on 27 July 1998 following the initial final on 17 May.

The shootout remains one of the most dramatic encounters between the clubs. Daniel Mudau and Sam Pam both scored from the spot in extra time, before Mudau missed Sundowns’ first penalty in the shootout. Pirates’ Steve Lekoelea also failed to convert, sending the contest into sudden death, where Gavin Lane secured victory for Sundowns and left The Ghost in defeat.

The clubs met again in the Nedbank Cup final at Mbombela Stadium in 2024, with Pirates winning that occasion.

Their only Carling Knockout final meeting came in the 1990 John Player Special (JPS) Knockout Cup. Sundowns won 2-1 on aggregate.

The rivalry has also produced two MTN8 finals. In 2007, Sundowns won the SAA Supa 8 final 1-0 at the ABSA Stadium in Durban, with Brent Carelse scoring the decisive goal.

That match took place only five days after the burial of Gift Leremi, who had been registered with Sundowns for two months after leaving Pirates.

Pirates later defeated Sundowns 3-1 on penalties at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2024 MTN8 final. The source record also credits Pirates with a penalty-shootout victory in the 2023 MTN8 final, as well as a shootout win in the second leg of the competition’s semi-finals two years later.

Across all cup matches between the clubs during the PSL era, including every stage and finals, Pirates hold the overall advantage with nine wins to Sundowns’ five.

The first cup meeting of the PSL era took place on 1 November 1997, when the sides played the first leg of the Rothmans Cup semi-finals.

Pirates will therefore enter the latest final with the historical edge in overall cup meetings, while Sundowns will be managed by Miguel Cardoso.

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images