Sport Reporter
Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ four-year reign as MTN8 champions with a 2-0 victory in a fiercely contested final at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night.
Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners secured the trophy for Sundowns, while a crucial penalty save by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams denied Pirates the chance to fight their way back into the match.
The victory handed Sundowns their first MTN8 title since 2021 and their fifth Top Eight title overall, while dashing Pirates’ hopes of becoming the first club to win the competition five consecutive times.
It was also a significant achievement for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who celebrated his first domestic cup triumph since taking charge of the Pretoria club.
Both sides made a positive start, but Sundowns created the clearer opportunities during the opening half.
The Pretoria side took the lead in the 12th minute when Mokoena capitalised on some poor defending by Pirates.
The Soweto side failed to clear the danger inside their penalty area, allowing the Bafana Bafana midfielder to react quickly and force the ball into the net from close range.
Pirates appealed for offside, but the goal stood.
Sundowns continued to create the better opportunities during the opening half, with Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine producing two important saves to prevent the deficit from increasing.
Chaine first denied Thapelo Morena with a close-range save before tipping a powerful effort from Portuguese midfielder Nuno Santos over the crossbar.
The contest grew increasingly physical as Pirates struggled to contain Sundowns’ attacking movement.
Tensions rose shortly before half-time as the players became involved in a confrontation.
Pirates made a change at the start of the second half, with Kamogelo Sebelebele replaced by Oswin Appollis.
Despite trailing, Pirates were handed a golden opportunity to level the scores shortly before the hour mark.
Referee Abongile Tom awarded the defending champions a penalty after adjudging that Mokoena had pushed Yanela Mbuthuma inside the penalty area.
Ghampani Lungu stepped forward to take the spot kick, but Williams produced a decisive save, pushing the ball against the post and away from danger.
The missed penalty proved to be a turning point, leaving Pirates chasing the game as Sundowns regained their composure.
The Pretoria side had another opportunity to extend their advantage when Brayan León was set up by Tashreeq Matthews, but the striker directed his effort wide.
Pirates continued searching for an equaliser and Williams was again called into action, producing an important save to deny Simphiwe Masilela.
With time running out, Sundowns were awarded a penalty of their own after Tom adjudged that Thapelo Mokobodi had fouled Siyanda Ndlovu inside the area.
Rayners stepped up and converted from the spot deep into stoppage time to put the result beyond Pirates’ reach and spark celebrations among the Sundowns supporters.
The victory secured the R10 million winners’ prize for Sundowns and brought an end to Pirates’ remarkable run of four consecutive MTN8 titles.
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