Pirates and Sundowns prepare for high-stakes MTN8 final in Durban

Orlando Pirates will attempt to win a fifth successive MTN8 title when they face African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Saturday’s final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The match, the MTN8 WAFA WAFA Final, was previewed on Wednesday by PSL legend and MTN8 2026 ambassador Lehlohonolo Majoro, who represented Pirates during his playing career.

Majoro, known as “Major”, spoke to the KZN media ahead of the Durban showpiece, reflecting on the disappointment of losing four MTN8 finals as a player.

He also warned that the current generation of Buccaneers would need to manage the pressure and expectations surrounding a cup final. Those demands are heightened by Orlando Pirates’ outstanding recent record in the competition, with the club having won five of the last six MTN8 titles.

Pirates’ latest appearance will represent another landmark in their history. The club are reaching the MTN8 final for a 21st time and have become the first team to contest five consecutive deciders.

Their recent run has produced four straight triumphs, with victories in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. That sequence has reinforced Pirates’ position as the dominant side in the modern era of the competition.

Sundowns seeking to improve final record

Mamelodi Sundowns should not be underestimated, despite entering the final with a less impressive record in MTN8 deciders.

The competition has proved frustrating for Masandawana over the years. Since appearing in their first final in 1988, Sundowns have reached the showpiece 11 times but have lost seven of those fixtures.

Their four victories place them third on the all-time list for MTN8 success. They remain behind Kaizer Chiefs, who have won the competition 15 times, and Pirates, who have lifted the trophy on 14 occasions.

Sundowns’ record means they have won only a little more than one in three of the finals they have contested.

Their four triumphs came in 1988, 1990, 2007 and 2021, the latter being their most recent success. They will now attempt to overcome that history against holders Pirates, who are seeking to extend both their current winning run and their record of reaching consecutive finals.

For Majoro, the occasion also carries the perspective of a former player who experienced the difficulty of falling short in the competition’s biggest match. His message to the young Pirates squad was that handling the final’s expectations would be as important as their performance on the pitch.