Moses Mabhida Stadium leads race to host MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates reached the MTN8 final for a fifth successive season after a convincing 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of their semi-final. The result gave the Buccaneers a 4-0 aggregate victory and strengthened the case for Moses Mabhida Stadium to stage this season’s showpiece.

Mamelodi Sundowns also secured their place in the final, although their route was considerably less comfortable. They beat Golden Arrows 3-2 in the second leg to complete a 3-3 aggregate draw and advanced on the away goals rule.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has not yet confirmed the venue for the final, but the Durban landmark is regarded as the leading candidate. Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted seven of the past 10 MTN8 finals, making it the competition’s most familiar setting during that period.

Pirates have appeared in four of those finals at the stadium and won three in succession between 2022 and 2024. Their 2023 success came against Sundowns, when they prevailed in a penalty shootout.

The Buccaneers also lifted the trophy in eThekwini during the current decade when they ended a six-year wait for silverware with a 2-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic. Their record at Moses Mabhida has therefore become one of the defining features of the MTN8 in recent seasons.

Sundowns will return to the final for the first time since 2021 after overcoming Golden Arrows, but they face the prospect of confronting Pirates at a venue where their rivals have enjoyed considerable success.

Mbombela Stadium’s role

Mbombela Stadium has hosted the MTN8 final twice in the past 10 years. The Mpumalanga venue, which was used during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, staged Bidvest Wits’ unexpected 3-0 victory over Sundowns in the 2016 final.

Pirates also won their most recent MTN8 title at Mbombela Stadium, defeating Stellenbosch FC 3-0 in last season’s final. Those two occasions represent the only times in the past decade that the competition’s final has been held outside Moses Mabhida Stadium or the Orlando Amstel Arena.

The Orlando Amstel Arena, previously known as Orlando Stadium, hosted the final on one occasion during that period. SuperSport United beat Highlands Park 1-0 there to win their third MTN8 title.

The venue announcement will now be awaited with particular interest. Moses Mabhida’s history in the competition, combined with Pirates’ outstanding record in Durban, makes it the natural favourite to host the meeting between the reigning champions and Sundowns.

For Sundowns, however, the final offers an opportunity to overturn that pattern and prevent another Pirates celebration at the stadium. Until the PSL confirms its decision, the evidence of the past decade points firmly towards Moses Mabhida Stadium.