Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates to end four-year MTN8 dominance

Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ four-year reign as MTN8 champions with a 2-0 victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

Tebogo Mokoena gave Sundowns an early lead before second-half substitute Iqraam Rayners secured the trophy with a stoppage-time penalty. The result earned Sundowns their fifth MTN8 title and their first in the competition since 2021.

Pirates had won the previous four editions and were aiming to become the first team to lift the trophy five seasons in succession.

Sundowns took control in the 12th minute when Mokoena finished from close range after Thabang Matuludi created the opening with a clever backheel assist.

They came close to adding a second before the interval. Thapelo Morena missed a significant opportunity, while Sipho Chaine kept Pirates in contention with impressive saves to deny Brayan Leon and Nuno Santos.

The Buccaneers also threatened, with Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams required to make a save from Ghampani Lungu’s effort from a tight angle as Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side looked for an equaliser.

Both teams made changes at half-time. Pirates introduced Oswin Appollis for Kamogelo Sebelebele, while Sundowns brought on Divine Lunga in place of Aubrey Modiba.

Pirates were presented with a major chance to level in the 62nd minute after being awarded a penalty. But Williams made the crucial intervention, pushing Lungu’s spot-kick on to the post and away.

That save preserved Sundowns’ narrow advantage and proved decisive as Pirates found it increasingly difficult to break through Miguel Cardoso’s defence.

Rayners then settled the final in full-time stoppage time from the penalty spot. Siyanda Ndlovu had been judged to have been brought down by Thapelo Mokobodi, allowing the Bafana Bafana international to confirm Sundowns’ victory.

Mokoena’s first-half goal and Williams’ penalty save ultimately secured the result, ending Pirates’ hopes of making MTN8 history.

The victory gave Sundowns a fifth overall MTN8 crown and marked their return to success in the competition after a wait since 2021. Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, saw their sequence of four consecutive titles come to an end.