Few tournaments on the South African football calendar capture the raw drama of football quite like the MTN8.
It’s a relatively easy route to the final with just three matches required, but the intensity on the pitch is top-tier considering only the eight best teams in the country compete for the trophy.
The tournament structure heavily rewards the winner, who walks away with R10 million, while the runner-up pockets the same R1 million as a team knocked out in the first round.
Over the years, there have been some thrilling MTN8 finals that continue to be a reference point for fans. Today, we take a look back at which finals stand out the most!
Top five MTN8 finals since 2008
2008 final: The dawn of the new MTN era saw Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs lock horns at Kings Park in a final for the ages.
Chiefs edged a tense encounter 4-3 on penalties against the Brazilians, bagging the inaugural R8 million winner’s cheque and setting the tone for the competition’s new chapter.
2009 final: Possibly the most one-sided final ever witnessed in South African football history. Golden Arrows produced a stunning 6-0 rout over Ajax Cape Town.
While a score-line like that can sometimes kill a contest, the sheer quality and brilliance of Arrows’ football on the night made it an absolute marvel to watch.
2011 final: Who can forget Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa’s extra-time stunner to clinch a Soweto Derby MTN8 final victory against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs?
Manyisa’s strike earned Pirates a 1-0 win at a packed FNB Stadium, securing the Buccaneers’ first cup final victory over their neighbors in over 20 years!
2016 final: Another one-side final however this time around, the somewhat underdog in Bidvest Wits gave the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns a footballing lesson they’ll never forget.
Wits cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Mbombela Stadium, courtesy of a Daine Klate brace and an Eleazer Rodgers strike, completely outclassing a star-studded Sundowns side.
2023 final: A true heavyweight clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium as Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates went toe-to-toe.
After a tense stalemate, Pirates triumphed on penalties, largely thanks to Sipho Chaine’s heroic saves in the shootout. That also marked the beginning of Pirates’ dream run in the MTN8 which has since seen them lift the title four times in a row.
Photo: Gallo Images
