Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns: MTN8 Final Tips

Orlando Pirates are the four-times-reigning MTN8 champions, and Saturday’s final against Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium gives them the chance to make it five in a row.

Standing in their way are Sundowns, the early pace-setters at the top of the Betway Premiership, who have gone seven matches unbeaten and will fancy finally landing a trophy that has eluded them for years.

Sundowns‘ solitary MTN8 crown dates back to 2007, when they beat these same opponents one-nil in that final. The two clubs have met in an MTN8 final only once since, in 2023, and that one swung the other way, with Pirates winning three-two on penalties after a goalless draw at this same stadium. Saturday gives either side the chance to move ahead in that particular series.

The match is already sold out, with close to seventy thousand fans expected to fill Moses Mabhida for a final between the country’s two biggest clubs, both still searching for full-strength squads after a disruptive international break.

⚽ Kickoff Snapshot — Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Competition	MTN8 Final
Kickoff	Saturday, October 10, 2026 — 18:00 SAST
Venue	Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Where to Watch	Check local SuperSport/DStv listings closer to kickoff
The match is sold out, with Pirates chasing a fifth straight MTN8 crown and Sundowns looking to end their long wait for the trophy.

Form and Context Ahead of the MTN8 Final

Both clubs arrive in good health. Pirates have stretched their unbeaten run to twenty-five matches across all competitions and have conceded just once in their last five outings, while Sundowns have gone seven unbeaten and scored in every one of those five.

In the Betway Premiership itself, Downs sit top with twenty points from eight games, one ahead of Bucs, who have played a match fewer and own the division’s best goal difference at plus-fifteen from seven outings. Neither side has lost domestically this season.

Pirates reached this final by beating Durban City two-one after extra time in the quarter-final, then brushing aside Sekhukhune United four-nil on aggregate over two legs in the semi-final.

Sundowns had a tighter route, edging Polokwane City three-two in the quarter-final before advancing past Golden Arrows on away goals following a three-three aggregate draw in the last four.

Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns Head-to-Head

These two have met in an MTN8 final only twice. The first, back in 2007, went Sundowns’ way one-nil, and remains their only MTN8 title to date.

The second, in 2023, swung the other direction, Pirates winning three-two on penalties after a goalless stalemate through normal and extra time at this same Moses Mabhida Stadium. Saturday is the decider in a series that stands level at one win apiece.

Team News and Predicted XI for the MTN8 Final

Pirates will again be without Relebohile Mofokeng, sold to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise back in July, which has left a creative gap Abdeslam Ouaddou has had to plan around all season.

Thalente Mbatha is back in full training and has said he feels ready to start, while Evidence Makgopa, Mohau Nkota, Makhehlene Makhaula, Kabelo Dlamini and Andre de Jong have all returned to training this week, though their readiness for Saturday has not been confirmed. Sihle Nduli remains around two weeks from full training and will play no part.

⏳ 55 HOURS TO GO | 🏆 #WafaWafa 2026 Final

🆚 @Masandawana
⏰ 18:00
🏟 Moses Mabhida Stadium

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/lM7h0qmGiP

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 7, 2026

For Sundowns, Teboho Mokoena is the most important fitness call. He picked up a knock on Bafana Bafana duty and was still training in trainers rather than boots as of Thursday, though Miguel Cardoso has not ruled him out of a late fitness test.

Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas both carry knocks of their own from the international break but are reportedly trending in the right direction, while Monnapule Saleng and Keanu Cupido have returned to full training and should be available.

Orlando Pirates Team News	Mamelodi Sundowns Team News
Out: Sihle Nduli (rehab) Departed: Relebohile Mofokeng Returned to training, status unconfirmed: Mbatha, Makgopa, Nkota, Makhaula, Dlamini, De Jong Tapelo Xoki — no current-week confirmation	Doubt: Teboho Mokoena (late fitness test) Doubt, trending positive: Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas Back in full training: Monnapule Saleng, Keanu Cupido Cover option: Sphelele Mkhulise

Both lineups are our own projection from each club’s most recent fit eleven, adjusted for the team news above, as no confirmed or outlet-predicted team sheet for this specific final was available at the time of writing.

Both lineups are our own projection from each club’s most recent fit eleven, adjusted for the team news above, as no confirmed or outlet-predicted team sheet for this specific final was available at the time of writing.

Star Player Comparison: Appollis vs Léon

Star Player Comparison
Oswin Appollis Winger · Orlando Pirates	Stat	Brayan Léon Striker · Mamelodi Sundowns
2	Goals	3
1	Assists	1
7	Appearances	7
7.47	Average rating	7.31

The Managers

Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Moroccan in charge at Pirates, takes his side into another final with four straight MTN8 wins already in the trophy cabinet.

He has been careful all week to play down how much that record should count for on the night, insisting the past will not win Saturday’s match on its own.

Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese coach at Sundowns, has had to manage a cluster of late fitness concerns through the week and has said plainly that his side will not risk any player who is not genuinely ready.

Getting the call right on Mokoena, Modiba and Aubaas will shape how bold he can be with his selection.

Tactical Preview

Expect Pirates to sit in a mid-block and look to break with pace through Moremi and Appollis on the flanks, a pattern that has underpinned their unbeaten run.

With Mofokeng gone, the creative burden shifts more heavily onto Mbatha, assuming he starts, to link midfield and attack through the middle.

Sundowns will likely look to dominate the ball through their double pivot and rotate possession patiently, waiting for Pirates to be dragged out of position before releasing Saleng or Léon in behind.

If Mokoena is passed fit, his range of passing from deep becomes the single biggest swing factor for either side, but Cardoso’s caution suggests a more conservative central pairing is the safer bet for kickoff.

The Mzansi Slip: Betting Tips for the MTN8 Final

Score Prediction

🔮 Score Prediction

Orlando Pirates 2 – 1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Pirates have conceded just once in their last five matches and should have enough in Appollis and Moremi to break down a Sundowns side still waiting on Mokoena’s range from deep. Likely scorers: Oswin Appollis, Brayan Léon.