With the MTN8 trophy heading back to Chloorkop, we highlight three Mamelodi Sundowns players who rose to the occasion for Miguel Cardoso’s side.

Mamelodi Sundowns got their hands on the first piece of silverware of the 2026/27 season after seeing off rivals Orlando Pirates 2-0 in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The victory not only kicked off the new campaign on a high note, but it also ended the Buccaneers’ four-year reign over the top eight cup.

It was a tactical battle of note on the night, with Miguel Cardoso managing to get one over rival coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to bring the trophy back to Chloorkop for the first time since 2021.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ top performers in MTN8 final

Ronwen Williams

The Bafana Bafana skipper showed once again why he’s considered one of the best in the business on the continent.

Williams came up with the game’s turning point on the hour mark, making an all-important penalty save to deny Ghampani Lungu and preserve Sundowns’ slender lead.

He finished the match with three crucial saves, while his distribution and composure in building up from the back were key in helping Masandawana navigate Pirates’ high press all game long.

Teboho Mokoena

The senior statesman set the tone early for Sundowns by opening the scoring inside the first 10 minutes. It might not have been one of his signature long-range rockets, but his sharpness in the box gave his side the important lead.

Alongside his crucial goal, Mokoena was neat and composed in possession throughout, keeping things ticking over in the middle of the park while making six key recoveries to disrupt Pirates’ attack. Luckily for him though, the Buccaneers failed to punish him for his error that led to a penalty.

Khulumani Ndamane

The 22-year-old defender was rock solid at the back. He dealt with the Pirates’ attack superbly, making a whopping 17 clearances throughout the match.

It was exactly a perfect performance; however, given the occasion, the youngster stepped up to the plate for his side and kept things tight at the back.

With another trophy safely delivered to the Chloorkop cabinet, Cardoso and his technical team will now shift their attention back to the league as well as defending their CAF Champions League crown.

Originally published by Soccermag.