The highly anticipated South African football season kicks off this weekend with the highly anticipated MTN8 tournament.
All eyes will be on defending champions Orlando Pirates as they embark on a quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title under their new mentor, Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Read: New look Amazulu set for tough test against Stellenbosch in MTN8 clash
Ahead of the season curtain-raiser, SBN dives into the rich history of the MTN8, bringing you eight MTN8 facts that you may not have known!
Kaizer Chiefs: Kings of the MTN8
Historically, Kaizer Chiefs stand as the most successful club in MTN8 history, boasting a remarkable 15 victories from 21 final appearances. Their last triumph, however, dates back to 2014, when a solitary goal from Tefu Mashamaite secured a 1-0 victory over their fierce Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates. Despite a dry spell in recent years, Amakhosi’s golden legacy remains unmatched.
MTN8 Title Defences
Only two clubs have successfully defended the MTN8 title: the Soweto giants themselves, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Chiefs achieved back-to-back victories in 1981-1982 and again in 1991-1992.
Orlando Pirates first managed this feat in 2010-2011 and are currently on their longest successful defence run, having claimed the title in 2022, 2023, and 2024. While they also lifted the trophy in 1996 and 2000, these were not consecutive wins.
Orlando Pirates’ Historic Three-Peat
Orlando Pirates stand alone with a historic three-peat, clinching the title in 2022, 2023, and 2024. While other teams have pulled off back-to-back wins, no one else has strung together a trio of triumphs like the Buccaneers.
Four Time Finalists
Since MTN became the title sponsor in 2008, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and SuperSport United have each reached the final on four occasions. That being said, it’s Orlando Pirates who lead the pack with a remarkable eight final appearances, more than any other top-flight club in the MTN era.
Denis Onyango’s Five Star Heroics
The 2021 MTN8 final saw a memorable performance from Mamelodi Sundowns’ goalkeeper Denis Onyango. His heroics in the penalty shootout against Cape Town City, where he saved five spot kicks, were instrumental in securing the title for Sundowns.
Onyango’s stellar display earned him the Man of the Match award in front of two thousand fully vaccinated spectators – a significant moment as South Africa took a step towards easing COVID-19 restrictions.
Golden Arrows’ Six Goal Rout
The most emphatic victory in an MTN8 (or its predecessors) final belongs to Lamontville Golden Arrows, who famously thrashed Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in 2009. This remains the record scoreline for any South African cup final, a testament to Arrows’ dominant performance. Notably, Golden Arrows are also the only team from KwaZulu-Natal to have lifted the trophy.
The Magnificent Seven
The MTN8 title has predominantly stayed within Gauteng-based clubs. Only seven teams from outside the province have managed to lift the coveted trophy: three from the Western Cape (Santos, Ajax Cape Town, and Cape Town City), and one each from the Free State (Bloemfontein Celtic), KwaZulu-Natal (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Mpumalanga (Witbank Black Aces), and the North West (Platinum Stars). This highlights the historical dominance of Gauteng clubs in the competition.
Eight Multi-Winning Coaches
A total of eight coaches have the distinction of winning the MTN8 trophy on multiple occasions:
Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala (Orlando Pirates in 1978, Mamelodi Sundowns in 1988 & 1990)
Jeff Butler (Kaizer Chiefs in 1989 & 1991)
Muhsin Ertugral (Kaizer Chiefs in 2001 & 2008)
Eddie Lewis (Kaizer Chiefs in 1974 & 1976*)
Kaizer Motuang (Kaizer Chiefs in 1973 & 1982)
Gordon Igesund (Orlando Pirates in 2000, Mamelodi Sundowns in 2007)
Manqoba Mngqithi (Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2009, Mamelodi Sundowns in 2021*)
Jose Rivero (Orlando Pirates in 2022, 2023 & 2024)
(*Served as co-coach.)