Pirates vs Sundowns: Who will lift MTN8? Favourites revealed

Orlando Pirates are set to play Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final on October 10 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

The Soweto giants made the last hurdle after beating Sekhukhune United in a two-legged semi-final while Masandawana put up a brave fight to get past Golden Arrows.

Bucs have won the last four editions where the immediate former coach Jose Riveiro claimed three before Abdeslam Ouaddou won the other in his debut campaign.

Masandawana last won the tournament in 2021, explaining why they are desperate to deliver the 2026 one.

Why Pirates have the upper hand

“I would say Orlando Pirates because of the experience in this tournament and the momentum that they took from last season,” the competition’s ambassador and former South Africa international Vuyo Mere told iDiski Times.

“And obviously, we’re talking about the Betway Premiership champions, and Mamelodi Sundowns are still having to dust themselves off; I think, it’s the past four seasons without winning any domestic [cup] trophy, which is a worrying factor.

“I think it’s still lingering in their minds to say that we haven’t won anything domestically in four seasons, so now we need to improve and do better domestically, because now a lot of people would think that Mamelodi Sundowns focuses on the CAF Champions League and the Club World Cup.

“Now they need to also bring the bragging rights back to their supporters. So, I think this is a good start for them in the MTN8, to put that trophy that has been eluding them for the longest time in their cabinet,” he concluded.