CARDOSO: REMAIN HUMBLE, KEEP WORKING!
OUADDOU: STOP BEING SHY AND BE AGGRESSIVE!
By Akasia Express Sports Desk
Mamelodi Sundowns did more than just lift the 2026 MTN8 trophy when they defeated Orlando Pirates 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday night – they ended a four-year reign by their fiercest domestic rivals, silenced a formidable cup-winning force and reminded South African football that even the most successful teams must continually prove themselves.
For Sundowns, the victory was about redemption in a competition that had eluded them in recent years. For Pirates, it was a painful reminder that past achievements count for little when the next final arrives.
Yet the most revealing part of the final came after the final whistle, when both camps reflected on what had been won, what had been lost and what needed to happen next.
CARDOSO CELEBRATES BUT REMAINS CAUTIOUS!
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso had every reason to celebrate, as his team had overcome a difficult preparation period, dealt with the pressure of facing the defending champions and delivered when the stakes were highest.
But the Portuguese coach’s response was measured rather than being boastful.
Cardoso spoke about the importance of togetherness, organisation, passion and the collective effort required to overcome Pirates. He acknowledged that preparing for the final had not been straightforward, particularly because several players had been away on international duty and some had limited training time before the showdown.
The victory was also personally significant for Cardoso, who secured his first domestic knockout trophy with Sundowns.
He dedicated the achievement to the supporters who travelled to Durban, recognising that winning the MTN8 meant more than adding another medal to the club’s collection. Sundowns had wanted to deliver a domestic cup for their fans, and they had finally done so.
His message after the triumph was equally important: remain humble and keep working.
That response says much about the expectations at Chloorkop after Sundowns have enjoyed sustained success in the Premiership and won the CAF Champions League, but their ambition is not limited to dominating one competition.
The MTN8 was another target, and the club treated it as a priority, the Akasia Express has learnt.
RONWEN WILLIAMS DELIVERS WHEN IT MATTERS MOST!
While Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners supplied the goals, captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced one of the defining performances of the evening.
Mokoena opened the scoring in the 11th minute, finishing from close range after a clever touch from Thabang Matuludi helped create the opportunity. It was an early blow for Pirates, who had entered the final hoping to extend their remarkable run in the competition.
The Buccaneers had opportunities to recover, and their biggest chance arrived in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Gamphani Lungu stepped forward, but Williams reacted superbly to push the effort onto the post and preserve Sundowns’ advantage.
Williams was called upon again later, denying Simphiwe Masilela with another important save as Pirates searched desperately for an equaliser.
Those interventions were crucial, as a successful penalty would have changed the complexion of the contest, placed Sundowns under renewed pressure and given Pirates the momentum they needed.
Instead, Williams gave his team the foundation to see out the match.
Rayners then converted a stoppage-time penalty to make it 2-0 and remove any remaining doubt about the destination of the trophy.
PIRATES ADMIT WHERE THINGS WENT WRONG!
For Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the defeat was disappointing, but his assessment was not an attempt to dismiss the result or hide behind excuses.
Ouaddou admitted that his team had been too shy in its aggression at the beginning of the match and had been punished by Sundowns’ early set-piece threat.
He also identified the missed penalty as the moment that significantly influenced the outcome.
Pirates had wanted to establish early control and avoid falling behind, particularly after previous matches in which they had been forced to chase games.
But instead, they found themselves in precisely the position they had hoped to avoid.
The missed penalty left them with a difficult task against a Sundowns side that knows how to protect a lead and exploit the spaces opponents leave when pushing forward.
Ouaddou also made it clear that his players could learn from the defeat.
However, for their staunch supporters, losing the MTN8 crown after four consecutive triumphs was a setback, but they view the experience as an opportunity to identify weaknesses and improve.
What the result means for South African football
Sundowns’ triumph also showed that no cup-winning run is guaranteed to last forever.
Pirates had built an impressive record in the MTN8, but the Brazilians found a way to end it.
That unpredictability is healthy for a competition that depends on tension, ambition and the belief that the trophy is there to be won.
In anyway, based on the support and reaction after the monster match, the rivalry between Sundowns and Pirates remains a valuable asset to the PSL, and a good sign that their encounters attract attention, create debate and raise expectations around the standard of domestic football.
The challenge is to ensure that this rivalry inspires more clubs to close the gap, invest in their development structures and compete consistently for honours since a stronger league cannot depend on two giants alone.
PIRATES AND SUNDOWNS’ NEXT STOP…
For Sundowns, the celebrations will eventually give way to another demanding schedule, as Cardoso’s lads have already cautioned against complacency, and are now gunning for Richards Bay to maintain their top position on the Betway Premiership table.
Sundowns stayed behind in KwaZulu Natal after their important win at the weekend to prepare for the Rich Boyz at Richards Bay Stadium on 13 October 2026.
The Brazilians are yet to lose a match this season, and would be eager to maintain such a performance to avoid their sudden loss of the PSL title last season, ironically to the same Pirates side.
Elsewhere at the Orlando Amastel Arena, another yet to loss side, Pirates, will welcome their hoodoo side TS Galaxy who are perched 12th on the log, to vent their frustration against Tim Sukazi’s side.
The Pirates coach would be hoping his team will need to carry the discipline into its Premiership and not make the same mistakes again.
For Pirates, their response against the Rockets will matter more than the MTN8 disappointment itself, and their ability to recover, correct the weaknesses will be exposed.
The supporters of both clubs will demand answers, but they will also expect their teams to move forward.
