Moses Mabhida Stadium: eThekwini denies bribery claims over MTN8 final

eThekwini Municipality has rejected allegations that it bribed officials to secure major football finals for Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The stadium was awarded the right on Monday to host the 2026 MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on 10 October.

The match will be the 10th MTN8 final staged at the Durban venue since it became a domestic football stadium after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will also repeat the 2023/24 final, when Pirates beat Sundowns on penalties.

Although Moses Mabhida has hosted more MTN8 finals than any other venue during that period, it was not selected for a cup final last season.

Durban City manager Musa Mbhele, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba and Executive Director of Community Services Vusi Mazibuko faced questions about Durban’s repeated success in attracting high-profile football matches at a media briefing at the stadium on Tuesday.

Mbhele dismissed suggestions that the municipality pays organisers to bring finals to the city. He said Durban’s status as a tourism destination, along with the atmosphere created at Moses Mabhida Stadium, was responsible for the venue being chosen.

“We are not and I may sound arrogant, but it is the only way I can express it so desperate to boost tourism that we would resort to unethical actions like that,” Mbhele said.

“We are one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country, and people love Durban. Under the leadership of the Mayor, we are ensuring that we strengthen our brand. Having a major event like the one on October 5 adds momentum and encourages people to visit.”

Mbhele also said eThekwini Municipality did not pay to host major football matches, arguing that Durban provided commercial benefits for event organisers and sponsors.

“We do not pay to host these matches. People choose Durban because of the electric atmosphere here. We are the destination of choice, and MTN knows their brand will thrive when marketing here. We also boast one of the largest metro capacities for hotel accommodation and beaches.”

The MTN8 final will once again bring Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, two of South Africa’s biggest clubs, to Durban.

Moses Mabhida Stadium’s 10th final in the competition will be the latest major football event held at the venue, which has hosted the Wafa Wafa decider more times than any other stadium since the 2010 FIFA World Cup.