Mamelodi Sundowns end five-year wait for domestic cup glory with MTN8 win

Mamelodi Sundowns claimed their second trophy of the 2026/27 campaign by beating rivals Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final.

The victory gave Sundowns domestic silverware under Cardoso for the first time and ended a five-year wait for a South African cup triumph. Their previous domestic cup success came in 2021.

Sundowns had already secured the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup before the international period and returned to action by lifting the MTN8 trophy.

Cardoso praised his players for the way they overcame Orlando Pirates, highlighting the commitment and discipline required to win by a two-goal margin without conceding.

“With the heart, passion, organisation and a lot of love. It’s very difficult to play against Orlando Pirates and it’s absolutely difficult to get the two-goal difference without conceding any,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.

He also dedicated the success to the Sundowns supporters, who attended in large numbers and had been waiting for a domestic cup victory.

“It’s for these people here, they deserve, they came in numbers, and I think it was time, it was time to give these people a domestic cup,” he said.

“Obviously, it’s difficult but sometimes people don’t understand but sometimes you need to prioritise competitions and that also takes out energy from some of them.”