Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has urged his players to remain focused after defeating Orlando Pirates 2 to 0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners secured the trophy for the Tshwane club, giving Sundowns their second title of the 2026/27 season. Despite the victory, Cardoso warned that upcoming CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout and Betway Premiership commitments would require the team to maintain its discipline.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged the challenge posed by Pirates but said Sundowns had earned their victory.
Cardoso also cautioned against allowing the early success to distract his players from the fixtures ahead.
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Mamelodi Sundowns Beat Orlando Pirates To Win MTN8 Final
Sundowns secured the MTN8 trophy through goals from midfielder Teboho Mokoena and forward Iqraam Rayners.
The result saw the Pretoria club overcome Orlando Pirates in one of the major domestic cup fixtures of the season.
Speaking after the final, Cardoso acknowledged the opposition’s performance and the difficulty of securing the result.
“I think in the end we could have had a better result, but it was a difficult victory and we have respect for our opponents and what they do on the pitch,” he said.
The coach maintained that Sundowns deserved to win the competition, which he identified as one of the team’s objectives at the beginning of the season.
However, he said the players needed to balance their celebrations with preparations for their next matches.
Cardoso Calls For Humility After MTN8 Victory
Cardoso’s message following the MTN8 final focused on maintaining the standards that helped Sundowns secure the trophy.
The coach said the players should acknowledge their achievement without losing sight of the demands of the remaining season.
For Sundowns, the victory adds another title to an already successful opening period of the campaign.
However, Cardoso made it clear that winning trophies early in the season does not remove the pressure of upcoming competitions.
“It’s not that you collect two medals in October that you should be happy,” he said.
He added that the team had another match to prepare for within 2 days, followed by a CAF Champions League qualifying fixture the following weekend.
His comments highlighted the limited preparation time available between important fixtures.
Sundowns Claim Second Trophy Of The 2026/27 Season
The MTN8 title is Sundowns’ second trophy of the current campaign.
Before the international break, the Tshwane club defeated Al Ahli Saudi 2 to 1 in the FIFA African Asian Pacific Cup, according to the information provided.
That result was followed by Saturday’s victory over Pirates in Durban.
The 2 trophies represent early achievements for Cardoso’s team, although several domestic and continental competitions remain on the calendar.
The coach’s comments suggest that Sundowns are treating the opening successes as part of a longer campaign rather than the completion of their objectives.
With the Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout and CAF Champions League still requiring attention, the squad faces further demands.
CAF Champions League And Carling Knockout Fixtures Await
Cardoso identified the upcoming fixture schedule as one of the main reasons his players need to remain focused.
The Carling Knockout is scheduled to be launched on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, while Sundowns also have CAF Champions League qualifying commitments.
The coach said the team would need to respect each opponent and maintain its preparation standards.
“We have to be humble enough to know that we have a match to respect in two days and the qualifying round of the CAF Champions League to be played next weekend,” Cardoso said.
The schedule leaves Sundowns with limited time between their MTN8 celebrations and their next competitive assignments.
Cardoso did not identify the opponents or venues for those upcoming fixtures in the supplied remarks.
The team’s attention must now turn towards preparing for the next matches while maintaining its domestic and continental ambitions.
Why Cardoso Wants Sundowns To Maintain Their Unity
Beyond the immediate fixture schedule, Cardoso emphasised the importance of teamwork and the principles developed within the squad.
He said players needed to maintain their concentration and continue trusting one another.
“The players need to keep the focus and trust each other and values we have developed,” he said.
According to the coach, maintaining those standards will be important as Sundowns pursue further trophies.
Cardoso also acknowledged the competitive demands of South African football.
His comments reflected the challenge of remaining competitive across several tournaments while managing the expectations created by early success.
The coach’s immediate priority is ensuring that the squad moves from celebrating the MTN8 victory to preparing for its next assignment.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The MTN8 final brought together 2 Gauteng clubs, with Pretoria based Mamelodi Sundowns defeating Johannesburg based Orlando Pirates.
For Sundowns supporters in Tshwane and across the province, the result adds another trophy to the club’s 2026/27 campaign.
Pirates supporters, meanwhile, saw their team finish as runners up following the defeat in Durban.
The match also forms part of the wider Gauteng football calendar, with both clubs competing in domestic competitions.
Sundowns’ upcoming Carling Knockout, Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League commitments will provide further opportunities for supporters to follow the club’s progress.
However, the supplied information does not confirm the venues or opponents for the team’s next fixtures.
Supporters should consult official competition schedules for those details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won The MTN8 Final In 2026?
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Orlando Pirates 2 to 0 in the MTN8 final on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Who Scored For Mamelodi Sundowns Against Orlando Pirates?
Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners scored the goals that secured Sundowns’ victory.
Where Was The 2026 MTN8 Final Played?
The final took place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
How Many Trophies Have Sundowns Won In The 2026/27 Season?
According to the supplied information, Sundowns have won 2 trophies this season: the FIFA African Asian Pacific Cup and the MTN8.
What Did Miguel Cardoso Say After Winning The MTN8?
Cardoso said Sundowns deserved their victory but urged his players to remain humble, focused and prepared for their upcoming domestic and continental fixtures.
What Comes Next For Mamelodi Sundowns?
Sundowns must now turn their attention to a demanding fixture schedule following their MTN8 triumph.
Cardoso confirmed that the team had another match to prepare for shortly after the final, with CAF Champions League qualifying action also approaching.
The Carling Knockout is set to be launched on Wednesday, adding another domestic competition to the football calendar.
For Cardoso, the priority is maintaining the concentration, unity and preparation standards that contributed to the team’s opening successes.
The MTN8 trophy is secured, but Sundowns still have several competitions to navigate during the remainder of the 2026/27 season.
