Heavyweights Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will contest the final of the MTN8 in Durban on Sunday and the Orlando side are looking to lift this trophy for the fifth successive season.
Orlando Pirates
Pirates have won this competition in each of the last 4 seasons and they booked their place in the final after seeing off Durban City 2-1 after extra time in the quarters in Orlando and Sekhukhune 4-0 on aggregate across the two legs of the semi final. Pirates won the first leg of that semi 1-0 away from home and completed the job with a comfortable victory in front of their own supporters.
In the Betway Premiership Pirates are in second spot, just 1 point behind Sundowns and they have a game in hand. Pirates have won 6 and drawn 1 of their 7 league games with the only dropped points coming away at Amazulu. The solitary goal they conceded in that 1-1 draw is the only time their defence has been breached in a league game this season whilst at the other end of the park they have found the net 16 times.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns MTN8 quarter final saw them edge to a 3-2 home win over Polokwane City with the winner arriving in the 113th minute. That set up a semi final clash with Golden Arrows and Downs had to do it the hard way after losing the first leg 1-0 on home turf. The return was another 5 goal thriller with Downs edging it 3-2 to go through on away goals.
In the Betway Premiership Sundowns top the log unbeaten with 6 wins and 2 draws but they have Pirates right on their heels. They have scored 19 league goals but 7 conceded means they have been nowhere near as tight in defence as we have become accustomed too.
Recent Head To Head
Pirates knocked Sundowns out at the semi final stage of the MTN8 last season, holding their nerve to come through on spot kicks after both legs finished 1-1.
The 2 Betway Premiership matches last season saw the teams draw 1-1 in Tshwane and the return in Orlando saw Sundowns come out on top 2-1.
Recent MTN8 Finals
2025 Pirates 3-0 Stellenbosch (aet)
2024 Pirates 3-1 Stellenbosch
2023 Pirates 0-0 Sundowns (Pirates won on penalty kicks)
2022 Pirates 1-0 Amazulu
2021 Cape Town City 1-1 Sundowns (Sundowns won on penalty kicks)
Betting
At the time of last update to this preview Sportingbet had Pirates are 7/4, the draw is 37/20 and Sundowns can be backed at 29/20
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 13/10 and it's 9/10 for both teams to score.
Note the above markets apply to regulation time only
Verdict:
I'm thinking this will be tight and it would be no surprise to see extra time and even spot kicks required to settle the argument. However my slight preference is for Pirates given their recent dominance of this competition and an ultra tight defensive record this season. I will take draw no bet insurance.
Bets: Draw No Bet Pirates at 19/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change