DELMAS – The battle for MTN8 glory has already begun among football fans in Delmas, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates supporters backing their teams to lift the trophy on Saturday, 10 October 2026.

Both camps have predicted a 3–1 victory, differing only on which team will come out on top.

Sundowns supporter Lawrence “Mlora” Mabuza believes the Brazilians have the form to overcome Pirates in the final.

“Very much confident, we are on the winning form. There’s no stopping us this time,” Mabuza told Highveld Chronicle.

He believes Sundowns’ recent success and experience in major matches will give them an advantage.

“We just won the FIFA tournament last month, nothing can stop us from winning the domestic one,” he said.

Mabuza believes coach José Miguel Cardoso’s record against Pirates will give Sundowns supporters confidence, while the club’s experience in high-pressure matches could prove important.

“We play more than 10 big games in a season, so that experience is very much key coming into this MTN final,” he said.

However, he remains concerned about officiating following Sundowns’ previous defeats to Pirates in cup finals.

“Looking at the way we lost to Pirates in the last two cup finals, the only thing that we are concerned with as Sundowns fans is the level of officiating in this country,” he said.

Mabuza expects Sundowns’ attacking players to make the difference, naming Bryan Leon as his player to watch.

“If I were to mention one, I’ll give it to Leon,” he said.

He believes winning the MTN8 would be a significant achievement for Sundowns and a reward for Cardoso.

“Winning it will really make us happy and we will have to give Coach Cardoso his flowers. I mean, after everything, the MTN will just be cherry on top,” Mabuza said.

His prediction is a 3–1 victory for Sundowns.

Pirates supporter and Mpumalanga sports ambassador Xolani “Dube 22” Sibiya is equally confident that the Buccaneers will claim the trophy.

“Being four-time champions makes me have a high confidence and absolute faith that we will be the fifth-time MTN champions,” Sibiya said.

He believes Pirates’ recent success in domestic cup competitions has given the team confidence heading into another final.

“In recent years we have been dominating Sundowns in all domestic cups that we played, and we are treble champions. We are used to playing finals, but we don’t play finals — we win finals,” he said.

Sibiya believes the team’s young players, supported by management and fans, could play an important role.

He also believes the success of Pirates and Sundowns has helped raise the profile of South African football.

“It’s not about Sundowns, Orlando or other teams. It’s all about South Africa. South African teams are feared now because of Orlando Pirates and Sundowns,” he said.

For Pirates supporters, victory would bring another trophy and bragging rights.

“It will mean a lot to us. It will bring happiness and we will have more bragging rights,” Sibiya said.

His prediction is also 3–1, but in favour of Pirates.

For Sibiya, supporting Pirates goes beyond results.

“Orlando Pirates is the people’s team. It belongs to the community. Orlando Pirates is not just a football club; it’s more than a football club. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate,” he said.

 

The supporters have made their predictions. On Saturday, the players will have the final say.