In that time, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were the most successful sides with two wins apiece, with Golden Arrows’ 2009 triumph arguably the finest in history.
This year, there will be a new name on the MTN8 trophy come Saturday evening, as Cape Town City make their maiden final appearance while SuperSport United hope to go one better than their 2012 final loss.
With that in mind snl24.com/kickoff completes its recap of the last nine finals of the MTN8, having recounted Abafana Bes'thende's heroics and the influence of Surprise Moriri, Moeneeb Josephs and Oupa Manyisa from 2008 to 2011.
2012: Swallows’ last hoorah
The 2012 final will be remembered for being the last time Moroka Swallows fans wore a genuine smile on their faces. Having toppled AmaZulu in the quarter-finals and edging Mameldi Sundowns 6-5 on aggregate in the semi-finals, The Birds faced off against Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport United for the first trophy of the 2012/13 season. Five minutes in and Matsatsantsa were ahead through Franklin Cale, yet Giorgi Nergadze’s long-range strike levelled matters just 13 minutes later. Over an hour of play produced no more goals as the game looked to be heading for extra time, until in-form Bennett Chenene beat the offside trap to lob the advancing Rowen Fernandez and hand coach Zeca Marques the first trophy of his career. It would also mark the last piece of silverware the Birds lifted before they suffered three consecutive relegations, which now sees them plying their trade in South Africa’s fourth-tier, the SAB League.
2013: Dikwena pride
Underdogs Platinum Stars took 2013 MTN8 honours, as again the final went to a penalty shootout as this time Orlando Pirates succumbed to the pressure. Having beaten Free State Stars and Bidvest Wits to the final, Pirates – who had beaten University of Pretoria and Kaizer Chiefs – lay in wait. Following a goalless first half, Robert Ng’ambi headed home the opener to give Stars the lead three minutes into the second stanza. Pirates rallied as they fought to draw level, Kermit Erasmus firing home only to be ruled offside in what was seen as a dubious call. Yet that was soon forgotten as five minutes from time, Thabo Matlaba unleashed a bullet of a strike to leave Siyabonga Mpontshane rooted to the spot, sending the game into extra time. No goals in 30 minutes led to penalties, where the Pirates players crumbled, as Rooi Mahamutsa, Ndumiso Mabena and Lennox Bacela all failed from the spot to hand Dikwena the 3-1 victory, and just the second top-flight trophy in their history, adding to their 2006 Telkom Knockout success.
2014: Lucky number 15
Kaizer Chiefs cemented their status as the competition’s most successful team with their 15th Top Eight crown in 2014, as Orlando Pirates lost a second final in a row. Mpumalanga Black Aces and Platinum Stars were no match for Amakhosi en route to the final, losing 4-0 and then 5-0 on aggregate respectively, while The Bucs beat SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits to qualify for a second successive final showdown. Only one goal separated the sides, as Tefu Mashamaite was left unmarked to head home from a free-kick 28 minutes in. Brilliant Khuzwayo was kept busy between the posts, earning the man of the match award, but he let nothing past as Chiefs won 1-0, having not conceded a goal the entire tournament to win their second MTN8 Cup, and 15th Top Eight trophy in their history.
2015: Chiefs get ‘Paulsified’
Looking to defend their MTN8 crown and further increase their number of titles, Kaizer Chiefs were stopped in their tracks at the final hurdle as a young and spirited Ajax Cape Town side, led by now Platinum Stars coach Roger de Sa, won their maiden Top Eight crown. All roads led to Port Elizabeth on this occasion, with the Urban Warriors confident after taking down Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits on the way to the final. Veteran striker Nathan Paulse was in the mood on the day, being a menace to the Amakhosi defenders the entire game as he used his strength and aerial abilities to put pressure on the Chiefs backline. That pressure eventually paid off on 55 minutes as Paulse drew a foul from Erick Mathoho in the box as the striker dusted himself off to slot home and give Ajax the advantage, a lead they would hold on to as they won 1-0 to lift their first trophy in seven years.
2016: Unstoppable Klate
Daine Klate showed why he is one of the most successful players in the PSL by stealing the show in last year’s MTN8 final, as league champions-elect Bidvest Wits cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns. Klate was a threat from the get-go, sending in a low unstoppable strike goalwards just 35 seconds in to put the Clever Boys in front. The winger then turned provider 20 minutes later, challenging bravely in the air before Eleazar Rodgers fired home to double the lead. And Klate was again the man of the moment for his side’s third, stretching to get to the end of Rodgers’ pass to put Gavin Hunt’s charges further ahead. There was no way back for Sundowns as Wits claimed their first Top Eight title of the PSL era, and a first trophy in six years, before going on to clinch league glory at the end of the season.