Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned 2026 MTN8 champions on Saturday night after seeing off rivals Orlando Pirates 2-0 in an action-packed final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Brazilians could not have asked for a better start, taking an early lead in the 10th minute through Teboho Mokoena. The Bafana Bafana midfielder reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area to fire past Sipho Chaine from close range.
The Buccaneers pushed hard for an equaliser and were handed a golden opportunity to level matters on the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty. However, Ghampani Lungu’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Ronwen Williams to keep Sundowns ahead.
Pirates continued to throw body after body forward in search of a way back into the game, but Masandawana put the contest to bed in the dying minutes after Siyanda Ndlovu was brought down in the box by Thapelo Mokobodi, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
Substitute Iqraam Rayners stepped up and made no mistake, burying his penalty into the bottom corner to seal a memorable victory for Miguel Cardoso’s side.
The win sees Sundowns lift the first piece of silverware of the 2026/27 season while simultaneously snapping Pirates’ four-year stranglehold on the Wafa Wafa trophy.
Along with the bragging rights, Masandawana walked away with the R10 million grand prize to kick off their campaign in style.
Photo: Abdelmjid Rizkou/Gallo Images
