Arthur Sales believes there is no bigger occasion than Mamelodi Sundowns facing Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final, with the Brazilian forward embracing the opportunity to face one of the country’s biggest clubs with silverware on the line.
“I think the tough games in South Africa are against Pirates,” Sales said at Sundowns’ MTN8 media open day.
“Many years we stay close in the league. We compete for cups and league. I think it’s the most big game for us in South Africa.”
The final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday is precisely the sort of occasion Sales wants to experience. Having missed the start of the season through injury, he is now available for selection and could provide Sundowns with an important attacking option against a Pirates defence that has conceded just twice across the MTN8 and Betway Premiership.
“Of course, it’s a big game. Two big clubs in one final. It’s different to play Sundowns and Pirates in a league game. Now it’s a final,” Sales said.
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“I am feeling happy to play this kind of game. I prefer to play this final than on a Wednesday, travel to a small stadium. I prefer more this games for the level.”
For Sundowns, however, the occasion carries more than just prestige. They have not won a domestic cup competition for four years and have lost their last two finals against Pirates, including the 2023 MTN8 final at the same venue.
Sales knows what is at stake and says the squad has been given a clear objective by coach Miguel Cardoso.
“When the year started, the coach said, ‘I want to fight for this cup’ because already Cardoso has not won this one,” he said. “We see a lot of people talking about this game. Our answer for this one is we want this cup.”
For Sales, it is exactly the kind of game worth waiting for.