Mkhulise backs Sundowns to end Orlando Pirates' MTN8 streak

Sphelele Mkhulise insists Mamelodi Sundowns are not underdogs against Orlando Pirates ahead of the MTN8 final, citing their winning culture as a key advantage.

Orlando Pirates face a confident Mamelodi Sundowns side in Saturday's sold-out MTN8 final, aiming for a fifth consecutive title in the competition. The match kicks off at 6pm at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with the Buccaneers looking to extend a historic run of four straight wins dating back to 2021.

Sundowns midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise, speaking at his club's training base in Chloorkop on Wednesday, dismissed any notion that his team are underdogs. "Heading into this game, I think we do have some sort of advantage and upper hand because we recently won a trophy," Mkhulise said, referencing Sundowns' FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup victory. The 28-year-old added that lifting the MTN8 trophy in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal would be a special personal achievement. He emphasised the different pressures of a cup final compared to the league marathon, stating that teams give their all in a single game where the margins are fine. Mkhulise pointed to his team's recent form, where they have scored an average of 2.5 goals per game while conceding only 0.5, as a sign of their sharpness heading into the final.

Pirates' pursuit of history

Orlando Pirates arrive in Durban in strong domestic form, sitting second in the Premier Soccer League standings with 19 points from seven games. Their recent run reads four wins and a draw from their last five matches, keeping them just a point behind league leaders Sundowns. A fifth straight MTN8 title would move the club closer to the all-time record of 15 top-eight titles, currently held by Kaizer Chiefs. The Buccaneers have relied on a balanced squad effort, with their goal contributions spread across multiple players in the squad, making them a difficult side to contain defensively.

Mamelodi Sundowns, however, have not won this trophy since 2021 and are determined to end that wait. The Brazilians' dominance in the league, where they have a game in hand, contrasts with their recent cup record against Pirates. Mkhulise acknowledged the challenge but believes his team's winning mentality is the decisive factor. Orlando Pirates must handle this confident opponent to continue their cup dominance. The Buccaneers' next assignment after the final is a home league match against TS Galaxy on 18 October, as they look to maintain their position near the top of the table in a busy fixtures schedule.