MTN8 final: Orlando Pirates target fifth straight title against Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates will attempt to win the MTN8 for a fifth consecutive year when they face Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Sundowns, who lost the league title to the Buccaneers last season, will be determined to make a statement by ending Pirates’ dominance in the competition.

News24 football writer Njabulo Ngidi is in Durban to provide live coverage of the final, with supporters from both clubs gathering at the stadium ahead of kick-off.

An important update was expected before the match, with News24 directing readers to further details in a separate report.

The build-up outside Moses Mabhida Stadium included images of the man after whom the venue is named, as well as another towering figure standing outside the ground.

Supporters arrived from across South Africa to back their teams.

Lucky Mhlongo, from Mtubatuba, was confident Orlando Pirates would claim the MTN8 for a fifth successive season. However, women from the club’s Bryanston branch believed Mamelodi Sundowns would bring the Buccaneers’ run to an end.

Bongani travelled from Alexandra to sell club merchandise for supporters who had arrived without their team’s colours.

Zodwa, Saesae and Masadi made the journey from Lephalale in Limpopo to attend the final.

Sibusiso and Dikeledi entered Moses Mabhida Stadium together in an affectionate mood, although one of them would leave disappointed by the result.

Pirates’ recent success was also reflected among their supporters. The club has collected so many trophies in recent years that some fans were described as having trophies of their own.

Mzilikazi and Zodwa, who travelled from Ulundi, are members of the Lucky Lekgwathi branch. The branch is named after the former Orlando Pirates captain who led the club to back-to-back domestic trebles.

The final offers Sundowns the opportunity to halt Pirates’ long spell of success in the MTN8, while Orlando Pirates are seeking another triumph in a competition they have dominated in recent seasons.