Baloyi insists Chiefs remain cup kings - ‘Downs, Pirates still have a long way’

Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has dismissed suggestions that his ex-club could be eclipsed as the cup kings of South African football by Orlando Pirates.

Pirates have won eight out of the 10 cup finals they have been to in the last six years and are on course for another trophy, if they can beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on Saturday.

Orlando Pirates have won the last four MTN8 finals. Image: MTN8 Wafa Wafa

The Buccaneers have won the last four straight MTN8s and could make it a record fifth on the bounce this weekend which would take them level on 15 overall titles with Chiefs.

By contrast, Chiefs have just one trophy in the last 10 years, last year’s Nedbank Cup, while Sundowns last won a cup in the 2021 (MTN8) although they have dominated the Premier Soccer League by winning eight of the last nine titles.

Pirates, Sundowns still playing catch up?

Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate after winning the FIFA Afrian Asian Pacific Cup. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

Given Pirates’ recent cup heroics, they are now being termed the new cup kings but Baloyi is having none of it.

“You can’t argue with that, but Kaizer Chiefs are and will always be cup specialists,” Baloyi told Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.

“Sundowns and Pirates still have a long way to go to catch up to Chiefs’ success, and it is on paper. But you could say Pirates have positioned themselves to be cup specialists.”

Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi. Image: Imago

While reflecting on the upcoming MTN8 final, Baloyi feels Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso will face the most scrutiny given his poor record in domestic cups in South Africa.

Chiefs legend feels Cardoso under pressure

“Between the two coaches, I would say Miguel Cardoso is under more pressure,” he added. “Since his arrival, he has delivered the CAF Champions League, but it has been a bumpy ride for him when it comes to the domestic championship including the cups.

Lebohang Maboe of Kaizer Chiefs challenges for the ball with Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns. — Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“They (Sundowns) have a lot of depth and quality in their squad, but on the day, it will be small margins. Pirates have a good, young and energetic team, and a very good coach as well. It will be very interesting.”

Pirates and Sundowns are facing off in the MTN8 final since playing back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 but they met at the semi-final stage last season as Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team went on to claim the trophy.