MTN8 final countdown: The repeat survivors – 6 versus 11
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The lights will be on again for the repeat of the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns with survivors on both sides.
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MTN8 final countdown: The repeat survivors – 6 versus 11
Oct 3, 2026 – 04:56 pm
By Lovemore Moyo
The return of the MTN8 final to Moses Mabhida Stadium will be a repeat of the decider between the two finalists three years ago and so will naturally come with memories of what happened back then.
Orlando Pirates were winners on penalties in front of what was another packed stadium just like will be the case on Saturday, October 10.
Tickets were sold out within hours of being made available.
Three years ago, Pirates arrived in Durban as the MTN8 defending champions while Mamelodi Sundowns had been winners two years earlier.
The Bucs will again have the reigning champions tag attached to their foreheads as they seek to lift their fifth title in a row.
Jose Riveiro has been replaced by Abdeslam Ouaddou on the bench.
Only four players who started the 2023 final are still at Pirates – Sipho Chaine, Deon Hotto, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Tapelo Xoki.
Evidence Makgopa and Makhehlene Makhaula – both unused substitutes that evening – are also still at the club bringing the total of survivors to six.
Makgopa, Makhaula, and Xoki are yet to play this season due to various injury related reasons and so Chaine, Hotto, and Sibisi will be the starters again.
The rest of the players in the match day squad in that final are no longer at Pirates, and these include Kermit Erasmus, Zakhele Lepasa, Monnapule Saleng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Miguel Timm, Thabang Monare, and Bandile Shandu – who all started.
On the bench there was Relebohile Mofokeng, Makgopa, Makhaula, Lesedi Kapinga, Richard Ofori, Olisa Ndah, Paseka Mako, Siphelo Baloni, and Karim Kimvuidi.
Sundowns have moved from Rulani Mokwena to Manqoba Mngqithi and then Miguel Cardoso.
They still have Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Themba Zwane – who were all starters in that 2023 final.
Denis Onyango, Grant Kekana, Sphelele Mkhulise, and Siyabonga Mabena are also all still at the club.
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Williams, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Kekana, and possibly Zwane and Mkhulise should get minutes.
Those in the matchday squad who have since left are Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Rivaldo Coetzee, Neo Maema, Peter Shalulile, Thapelo Maseko, Junior Mendieta, Bongani Zungu, Lebohang Maboe, and Mosa Lebusa.