Sundowns seek Al Ahli Saudi boost in MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the club’s recent victory over Al Ahli Saudi in the African Asian Pacific Cup, part of the Fifa Intercontinental Cup, has provided extra motivation ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates.

The final will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium at 6pm, with Sundowns entering the match after securing their first cup of the season before the Fifa international break.

Kekana believes that success can help Sundowns end their wait for another domestic cup triumph. Their last local cup victory came in 2022, and the 33-year-old says the club are determined to make their opportunity count against the Buccaneers.

“At Mamelodi Sundowns we don’t play competitions to compete; we play them to dominate. Last season, we were unfortunate not to get anything locally, but with this campaign, we have given ourselves a chance, especially at the start of the term,” Kekana told the media on Wednesday.

“We are still adjusting to get a local trophy, so we are highly motivated, and I think the lads are just eager and ready to go.”

Sundowns have fallen short in the MTN8 on several occasions, while Orlando Pirates defeated them in their last two finals in the competition. Kekana said the memory of those defeats would not make the match a personal contest.

“I think it’s very important, obviously, to go into this game highly motivated because of how we won against Al Ahli Saudi. It’s going to be important for us to assert ourselves; we’ve fallen short quite a few times in this competition,” he said.

“We don’t like personalising games. It’s more about us doing better than we did last season, and I think we had a great start this time.

“We just want to keep that momentum because we are highly motivated, and we are all positive.”

Sundowns have used a number of players during the campaign, and Kekana said the squad’s focus would be on applying their approach effectively in the final.

“As you can see, a lot of players have been getting a chance, and it’s just about us implementing what we know so that we get a positive result at the weekend.”

Kekana has spent much of his time with Bafana Bafana alongside players from both Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. He believes the relationship developed in the national team has helped the rivals understand each other despite Saturday’s finale.

The defender expects the occasion to be competitive but said Sundowns would give everything for their supporters.

“We just hope it will be an enjoyable one for the neutrals, and especially for our supporters. We are going to leave everything on the field even if it’s a piece of our skin.”