{"id":42788,"date":"2026-10-08T12:01:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T10:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=42788"},"modified":"2026-10-08T12:01:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T10:01:35","slug":"pirates-vs-sundowns-mtn8-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/pirates-vs-sundowns-mtn8-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando Pirates Vs Mamelodi Sundowns: MTN8 Final Preview, Injuries And Cup Drought"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, with the first silverware of the 2026\/27 PSL season at stake. Sundowns head into the final monitoring the fitness of Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas, while also attempting to end a domestic cup drought stretching back to 2022. Pirates have another milestone within reach as they chase a fifth consecutive MTN8 title.<\/p><div id=\"gaute-918052642\" class=\"gaute-after-paragraph-1 gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final brings together 2 Gauteng clubs that have started the domestic campaign strongly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also renews a knockout rivalry that has recently favoured Pirates, giving Sundowns another opportunity to change the pattern when the teams meet in Durban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/formula-1-for-beginners\/\">ALSO READ: Formula 1 For Beginners: The Complete F1 Guide For 2026 And 2027<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sundowns Face Late Injury Decisions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is waiting on the fitness of Mokoena, Modiba and Aubaas before deciding on his team for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psl.co.za\/tournament\/mtn8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>MTN8 final.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All 3 players took part in a light training session at Chloorkop in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modiba and Aubaas trained in their boots, while Mokoena trained in sneakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The players have been assessed by the Sundowns medical department, but Cardoso said further checks would be needed before their availability is confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat I need you to understand is that I will never put on a player until I understand that he is 100% fit,\u201d Cardoso said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cardoso said particular caution would be required with the muscle injuries involving Modiba and Aubaas, although he indicated that their recovery had shown positive signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long term absentee Keanu Cupido also joined the training session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cardoso Will Not Risk Players For The Final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The importance of the MTN8 final will not change Cardoso\u2019s approach to injured players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Sundowns coach said he was considering the wider season when deciding whether players were ready to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe don\u2019t want to think just about this game. We don\u2019t want this game to have an impact on the season and that\u2019s where I stand before making my own decisions,\u201d Cardoso said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That could leave decisions over Mokoena, Modiba and Aubaas until close to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cardoso has not confirmed whether any of the 3 will start or feature against Pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-147959232\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pirates Have Had The Edge In Recent Cup Meetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final gives Sundowns another opportunity to improve their recent knockout record against Pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The last time the teams met in an MTN8 final, Pirates won on penalties after a goalless draw in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pirates also defeated Sundowns in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final before Sundowns again fell short against the Buccaneers in the MTN8 semifinal last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their most recent Betway Premiership meeting produced a different result, with Sundowns beating Pirates 2 to 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saturday\u2019s final therefore adds another chapter to a rivalry that has increasingly extended beyond the league into major knockout matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sundowns Want To End Their Domestic Cup Drought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns defender Grant Kekana has acknowledged the club\u2019s recent difficulties in knockout competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns last won a domestic cup competition when they lifted the Nedbank Cup in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their most recent MTN8 triumph came in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ve fallen short a few times in this competition. It has sort of been our Achilles heel, but I think the mood and energy in camp is different,\u201d Kekana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re all highly motivated and positive about this weekend\u2019s fixture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns reached the final after recovering from a first leg defeat against Golden Arrows in the semifinal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winning on Saturday would therefore end the club\u2019s wait for another domestic cup and give Cardoso\u2019s side an early trophy in the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pirates Chase A Fifth Consecutive MTN8 Crown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pirates arrive in Durban with an opportunity to extend their recent dominance of the MTN8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Buccaneers are chasing a fifth consecutive title in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They have also started the current campaign strongly and remain unbeaten in all competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pirates had collected 19 points from a possible 21 in the league by 7 October while also progressing to another MTN8 final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns were also unbeaten in the league and occupied the top position on the Premiership table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final therefore brings together 2 sides carrying strong early season form into the first major domestic final of the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-147959232\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kekana Expects A Tactical Battle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kekana expects the latest Pirates and Sundowns meeting to be shaped by tactical decisions rather than physical intensity alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen I arrived at Sundowns, it was always just a battle but right now, it\u2019s about the one who can get it right tactically,\u201d Kekana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defender said Sundowns would give everything in their attempt to win the trophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Cardoso, that ambition must be balanced against the fitness of players returning from injury and the demands of the rest of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The availability of Mokoena, Modiba and Aubaas could therefore become an important part of Sundowns\u2019 preparations before the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means For Gauteng Residents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MTN8 final has a strong Gauteng connection because both finalists are based in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mamelodi Sundowns are based in Pretoria, while Orlando Pirates are based in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the trophy will be decided at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, supporters of 2 of Gauteng\u2019s biggest football clubs will have a direct interest in the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sundowns supporters, much of the build up will centre on the availability of Mokoena, Modiba and Aubaas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pirates supporters will be watching to see whether the Buccaneers can extend their winning run in the MTN8 and secure a fifth consecutive title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Is The Orlando Pirates Vs Mamelodi Sundowns MTN8 Final?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns takes place on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where Is The MTN8 Final Being Played?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Sundowns Players Are Injury Doubts?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas are being assessed ahead of the final. Miguel Cardoso said decisions on their availability could be made close to the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Did Sundowns Last Win The MTN8?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mamelodi Sundowns last won the MTN8 in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Many Consecutive MTN8 Titles Are Pirates Chasing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orlando Pirates are attempting to win the competition for a fifth consecutive time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-147959232\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What To Watch Before The Final<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sundowns\u2019 final injury assessments will be among the key developments before Saturday\u2019s match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cardoso has made it clear that he does not intend to select players unless he believes they are fully fit, particularly where muscle injuries are involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Sundowns, victory would end their domestic cup drought and reverse a run of recent knockout setbacks against Pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the Buccaneers, another victory would secure a fifth consecutive MTN8 crown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With both Gauteng clubs entering the final in strong form, Saturday\u2019s meeting will determine which side claims the first domestic trophy of the 2026\/27 PSL season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will meet in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, with the first silverware of the 2026\/27 PSL season at stake. Sundowns head into the final monitoring the fitness of Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas, while also attempting to end a domestic cup drought stretching back to 2022. Pirates have another milestone within reach as they chase a fifth consecutive MTN8 title.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":42796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"MTN8","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[360,11128,273],"ppma_author":[11575],"class_list":["post-42788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-mamelodi-sundowns","tag-mtn8-final","tag-orlando-pirates"],"authors":[{"term_id":11575,"user_id":23,"is_guest":0,"slug":"nomthandazo","display_name":"Nomthandazo Ntisa","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ec3262463e8ed5ea26dca074ed7eff95ffede057639be73a77f7896ccd06170f?s=96&r=g","avatar_alt":"","avatar_decorative":"","author_category":"1","first_name":"Nomthandazo","last_name":"Ntisa","user_url":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/","job_title":"Content Editor","description":"Nomthandazo Ntisa is a journalist and Content Editor at What's On G with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital publishing, and content strategy. She covers the people, places, events, and issues shaping Gauteng - producing stories that help readers understand and connect with life across the province."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42788"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42793,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42788\/revisions\/42793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42788"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=42788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}