Sundowns end Pirates’ MTN8 dominance
Mamelodi Sundowns ended Orlando Pirates’ four-year dominance of the MTN8 with a 2-0 victory in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night, handing coach Miguel Cardoso his first domestic title with the club.
The CAF Champions League holders were the more effective side for much of the match, with Teboho Mokoena opening the scoring in the 11th minute before Iqraam Rayners sealed the win with a stoppage-time penalty.
Pirates started brightly, pushing forward in the opening minutes through Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma. However, their early pressure failed to produce a goal, with Mbuthuma shooting narrowly wide in the ninth minute.
Sundowns took the lead two minutes later when Mokoena capitalised on a free-kick situation. Thabang Matuludi’s clever flick was intercepted by the midfielder, whose toe-poked effort found the back of the net.
The Brazilians continued to threaten, with Thapelo Morena and Nuno Santos creating opportunities before the break. Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine kept his side in contention with a save from Santos’ effort 10 minutes before half-time.
Williams denies Pirates
Sundowns remained comfortable after the restart as Pirates struggled to create clear chances. The Buccaneers were handed an opportunity to equalise in the 59th minute when Mokoena was penalised for pulling Mbuthuma inside the box.
However, Ronwen Williams produced a superb save to deny Gamphani Lungu from the penalty spot, diving to his left to preserve Sundowns’ lead.
Williams was called into action again in the 77th minute, keeping out a powerful effort from substitute Simphiwe Masilela as Pirates pushed for an equaliser.
Despite their late pressure, Pirates could not find a way past Sundowns’ defence. Instead, the Tshwane side secured victory deep into stoppage time when Rayners converted a penalty in the 90th+4 minute after a foul inside the box.
The result ended Pirates’ run of four consecutive MTN8 titles and handed Sundowns their first crown in the competition since 2021.
