Mamelodi Sundowns End Orlando Pirates’ Four-Year MTN8 Dominance
Mamelodi Sundowns have ended Orlando Pirates’ four-year winning streak in the MTN8 after defeating the Buccaneers 2-0 in the 2026 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Sundowns an early lead in the battle for the trophy.
Pirates had a chance to equalise from the penalty spot, but Ghampani Lungu’s effort was saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, keeping the Brazilians in front.
Sundowns sealed the victory in stoppage time when Iqraam Rayners converted a penalty in the 90+5th minute to make it 2-0 and secure the title.
Mamelodi Sundowns will walk away with R10 million in prize money after winning the 2026 MTN8 title.
The result ends Pirates’ record run of four consecutive MTN8 triumphs, having lifted the trophy in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Buccaneers had been chasing an unprecedented fifth successive title.
For Sundowns, this is their third MTN8 title, adding to their previous triumphs in 2007 and 2021.
The victory also marks Sundowns’ third major trophy of 2026, following their CAF Champions League triumph in May, when they defeated Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate, and their 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in September to win the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup.
Sundowns can now celebrate another successful year after claiming continental and international silverware before adding the MTN8 crown to their collection.
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
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