Mamelodi Sundowns FC beat Orlando Pirates to win the 2026 MTN8 final, securing the club's second trophy of the season. A 2-0 victory at Moses Mabhida Stadium was sealed by an early Teboho Mokoena strike and a late Iqraam Rayners penalty, though the officiating drew sharp criticism.
Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the 12th minute, finishing a move involving Thabang Matuludi. The match remained tight, with Ronwen Williams making key saves including a penalty stop in the 59th minute. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after Siyanda Ndlovu went down under pressure, allowing substitute Iqraam Rayners to convert and clinch the Wafa Wafa trophy.
Former player and pundit Junior Khanye was vocal in his criticism of the match officials. "Referees sometimes ruin a game because, for me, I don’t think both penalties were actual penalties," Khanye said. He questioned the foul leading to Mokoena's opener and suggested the late penalty awarded to Sundowns might have been a 'makeup call' by the referee. He further elaborated that the officiating had been a point of contention throughout the match, overshadowing what was otherwise a fiercely contested final between two of the league's top sides.
The win ends Sundowns' wait for the MTN8 title since 2021 and follows their FIFA Africa-Asian-Pacific Cup triumph less than a month ago. It reinforces their domestic dominance as they sit first in the Premier Soccer League standings with 20 points from eight games, a position built on a formidable defensive record detailed in the club's stats.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso deployed a strong lineup captained by Ronwen Williams, with Rayners and Ndlovu introduced from the bench to decisive effect. The victory sets the tone for a packed schedule, with seven more competitions including the CAF Champions League and Betway Premiership still to contest. Sundowns' next match, a league fixture against Richards Bay at Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday, is part of a demanding list of upcoming fixtures as they aim to extend their one-point lead over Pirates. Their recent form shows four wins and a draw from the last five outings. The coach confirmed the team emerged from the final with no new major concerns on the injuries front, allowing him to use his full squad depth in the coming weeks.
The report in full is at goal.com
