Six former winners vie for MTN8 glory

by Staff Reporter

Friday Aug 11, 2023. 14:13

The first cup competition of the season gets underway this weekend as eight teams battle it out for MTN 8 glory, with Orlando Pirates looking to defend the title.

The action kicks off on Saturday afternoon as Mamelodi Sundowns host Moroka Swallows at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

Steve Komphela comes up against his former employers, having left the Brazilians in the off-season to take over the reins at Swallows, who are bidding to lift the trophy for the fourth time.

Sundowns are the third most successful club in the MTN 8, with the last of their four triumphs coming in 2021,

In a repeat of the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, Orlando Pirates take on Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Buccaneers, who came out on top against Babina Noko on that occasion, beat AmaZulu 1-0 in the 2022 decider to be crowned champions for the 11th time.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs begin their quest for a record 16th title when they face Cape Town City at Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Amakhosi haven’t tasted success in the competition since 2014, although they also contested the final in 2015.

The Citizens won the title just two years after their reformation in 2016, while they were runners-up in 2017 and 2021.

SuperSport United will go in search of their fourth title when they lock horns with Stellenbosch at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday evening.

Matsatsantsa reached the final three years in a row from 2017 to 2019, missing out on a hat-trick of titles to Cape Town City in 2017.

The Maroons are making just their second appearance in the MTN 8, having fallen at the first hurdle in 2022 after losing to Chiefs on penalties.

MTN8 quarter-final fixtures:

Saturday, August 12

15h00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Moroka Swallows

18h00: Orlando Pirates v Sekhukhune United

Sunday, August 13

15h00: Cape Town City v Kaizer Chiefs

18h00: SuperSport United v Stellenbosch