The Top 5 MTN8 Finals

Orlando Pirates face Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday afternoon to decide who will lift the first trophy of the 25th PSL season. The MTN8 has traditionally been the first piece of silverware on offer.

This competition has thrown up some memorable matches and we’ve listed five of the best since MTN8 became the headline sponsor.

Did we miss any matches?

Golden Arrows 6-0 Ajax Cape Town (2009)

This match remains the highest scoring final since MTN became the headline sponsor of the competition in 2008. Golden Arrows was playing it’s first major CUP final in the club’s history. The match had hiccups with the electricity cut at Orlando Stadium nearly ending the the early. But the Arrows side bolstered with the likes of Henyekane brothers (Richard and Joseph), Siyabonga Sangweni, Njabulo Manqana, Nhlanhla Zothwane, and Nkosinathi Mshengu turned out to be too much for Urban Warriors.

Abafana Besthende under the tutelage of Manqoba Mgqithi pulled out a top drawer performance to outclass Ajax in all departments. That match remains in Arrow’s history as it last time they managed to scoop a trophy.

Bidvest Wits 3-0 Mamelodi Sundowns (2016)

2016 MTN 8 finals remains one of the best matches ever witnessed in the history of the competition. Wits came into Mbombela Stadium as the underdogs but they managed to walk home with the trophy. An early goal by Daine Klate with barely one minute on the clock gave Wits a surprise lead in a match played at the wet stadium. The Clever Boys doubled their lead through Elazar Rodgers in the 20th minute before Klate seized his brace near the hour mark to complete the thrashing.

Xola Mlambo and Thabang Monare were in control of midfield on the day. And fans were left surprised with the pulsating football displayed by Gavin Hunt’s troops as many describe him as a defensive-minded mentor.

Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Orlando Pirates (2014)

This was the last time Kaizer Chiefs won the MTN 8 title as they defeated arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Tefu Mashamaite’s towering header in the first half of the match proved to be the difference. Although, Pirates created enough goal-scoring chances on the day, it was Brilliant Khuzwayo was foiled them playing his best match in his career to win the fans’ hearts when he replaced the injured Itumeleng Khune.

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Moroka Swallows 2-1 Supersport United (2012)

Swallows came from a goal down to live up to the pre-match favourite tag. Supersport United took an early lead through Franklin Cale, who managed to get on the end of a defence-splitting pass by Sameeng Doutie. Georgian International Giorgi Nergadze scored a screamer to level matters in the match. With extra-time looming, the left-winger Bennet Chenene was smart enough to beat an offside trap and then nonchalantly score the decisive goal to hand the “Dube Birds” MTN8 gold medal.

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Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Orlando Pirates (2011)

The Soweto derby is always fully of tempo and no wonder on the day the match even went on extra time after ended goalless in 90 minutes. Oupa Manyisa’s long-range goal in the extra time ensured that the Buccaneers defend the title successfully. Many believed, Itumeleng Khune should have done better in stopping the effort.

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