Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates to end MTN8 drought

Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first major domestic cup trophy since 2022 with a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in a pulsating MTN8 final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the first half before Iqraam Rayners converted a late penalty to settle a contest played at a frantic pace. The result gives Sundowns their first MTN8 title since 2021 and denies Pirates the trophy for a fifth successive season.

The triumph is another significant achievement for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who has now led the club to the league title, the Champions League and the MTN8.

Sundowns have enjoyed considerable success in the league and Champions League during a barren domestic cup spell of about five years, but their supporters had continued to demand silverware in the knockout competitions. Their previous domestic cup success came in May 2022, when they defeated Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup final to complete a domestic treble.

Pirates began with greater purpose, forcing Sundowns into mistakes in their own half. However, despite controlling the opening five minutes, they failed to produce a shot on target.

The Buccaneers’ experienced players Sipho Chaine, Deon Hotto, Thalente Mbatha and Tshepang Moremi helped apply the early pressure. Mbatha and Thapelo Mokobodi settled quickly in midfield, allowing Kamogelo Sebelebele, Moremi and Lungu to threaten the Sundowns defence.

Teboho Mokoena and Marcello Allende took time to find their rhythm, leaving Malibongwe Khoza, Khulumane Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi and Aubrey Modiba under pressure.

Sundowns gradually imposed themselves, with Nuno Santos seeing more of the ball and slowing the game through his playmaking. They took the lead after 11 minutes when Pirates failed to clear a dipping delivery into the area. Matuludi laid the ball into Mokoena’s path and he beat Chaine, despite having been a doubt after suffering an injury with Bafana Bafana.

Mokoena and Allende then began to control midfield, enabling Matuludi and Thapelo Morena to advance down the right. Modiba also made forward and inverted runs on the left, forcing Sebelebele into a more defensive role.

Pirates still threatened, with Seema almost converting a delivery from Seema after 28 minutes. Chaine then made two excellent saves in quick succession to deny Brayan Leon and Santos.

Sebelebele was carried off just before half-time and was replaced by Oswin Appollis for the second half. Cardoso responded by withdrawing Modiba for Divine Lunga, while both managers later introduced further substitutes.

Pirates were awarded a penalty after 60 minutes when referee Abongile Tom ruled that Mokoena had brought down Yanela Mbuthuma. Lungu took the kick, but Ronwen Williams dived the correct way and turned it on to the post.

Williams produced further important saves late on, while tempers flared before half-time after Nuno Santos roughed up Yanela Mbuthuma. Tom awarded another penalty in the closing stages when Siyanda Ndlovu went down, and Rayners converted to complete Sundowns’ victory and end their domestic cup wait.