Eight MTN8 Final Facts: Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns contest the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday as the first piece of silverware in the 2023/24 season is up for grabs.

They are two giants of the local game with a stories history in this competition, though it is fair to say Pirates have enjoyed more success down the years.

Here are eight facts about the 2023 MTN8 final.

A RARE OCCASION

Quite remarkable for two giants of the local game, this will be only the second time ever these two sides meet in the final of the MTN8 competition since it was first played in 1972. The only other clash in the decider came in 2007 when a Brent Carelse goal handed Sundowns a 1-0 win at Loftus Versfeld.

ADVANTAGE PIRATES?

The teams have met in 13 matches in the competition overall, 10 at the semifinal stage to go with two quarterfinals and one final. Their first was, for a time, Sundowns’ record win against Pirates as they romped to a 6-1 success in 1990. That was eclipsed by a 6-0 league win in 2016, still Pirates’ heaviest ever defeat. The record in those 13 games is, however, even. Both clubs have won four games to go with five draws. Their most recent meeting in the MTN8 came at the semifinal stage last season as they drew the first leg 0-0, before Pirates romped to a 3-0 success in the second and went on to lift the trophy, beating AmaZulu 1-0 in the final. If you look purely at ties between these two, there have been nine (taking into account two legs and replays). Pirates have won five of those to Sundowns’ four.

SUNDOWNS HAVE RECENT SUCCESS VERSUS PIRATES

These two teams have already met in the DStv Premiership this season. Sundowns claimed a 1-0 away win on September 20 as Lucas Ribeiro slotted a penalty after 12 minutes.