Sundowns face greater MTN8 pressure than Pirates, says Ramagalela

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City forward Rodney Ramagalela believes both MTN8 finalists will feel the pressure of the occasion, but says Sundowns have more to prove when they face Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium this evening.

The Brazilians have not won the season-opening domestic cup since 2021, which was also the last year they reached the MTN8 final. Their wait for the trophy has added to the expectations surrounding the club ahead of the Wafa-Wafa decider.

Pirates, meanwhile, are appearing in their fifth successive MTN8 final. They are aiming to make history by becoming the first side to win the competition five times in a row.

Despite that record, Ramagalela says the greater urgency lies with Sundowns, particularly because head coach Miguel Cardoso is still waiting for his first domestic cup victory since arriving in South Africa.

“Everyone has pressure, especially when you are playing a cup final,” Ramagalela told iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago in edition 274 of the newspaper.

“When you are Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates, you are expected to win trophies; it doesn’t matter the kind of trophies that you are playing for. But every trophy on offer, you will have to go and get it.”

Ramagalela acknowledged that the demands placed on both clubs are considerable, with success expected regardless of the competition involved. However, he believes Cardoso’s position gives Sundowns an additional reason to secure victory.

“I think [Miguel] Cardoso, yes, is more of an under-pressure coach because, since he came to South Africa, he has never won any silverware in terms of the domestic cups,” he said.

The Portuguese coach has enjoyed achievements with Sundowns, but the MTN8 represents the closest he has come to winning domestic cup silverware with the club. Ramagalela feels lifting the trophy would ease some of the pressure at the beginning of the season.

“And this is the one that he has come close to, which he has to go and win it for him to reduce that pressure at the beginning of the season,” Ramagalela added.

He also suggested that success in the final could give Sundowns momentum as they turn their attention to the other competitions ahead.

“Maybe go and have a good season altogether, going to the next competitions. But Mamelodi Sundowns are more under pressure in terms of winning the domestic trophy.”

The final brings together a Sundowns side seeking its first MTN8 title since 2021 and a Pirates team chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive triumph in the tournament.