The MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu on Durban on Saturday has so many sideshows it deserves its own channel on SuperSport!
The contest will be a fascinating battle between two of the grand old clubs of South African football, who have history aplenty and will be roared on by a fanatical fan base at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Ironically, that is the home venue for Usuthu, but expect plenty of Buccaneers to invade the venue and push Pirates towards what they hope will be their second MTN8 crown in three years.
Pirates and AmaZulu are in fact meeting in the MTN8 competition for the first time in 28 years, and in a first cup final in almost five decades, a surprisingly long time for two of the giants of the local game.
Their only previous meeting in the MTN8 competition since the formation of the National Soccer League in 1985 came nine years later in 1994 when they clashed for the bronze medal. Pirates won 2-1 as Marks Maponyane and Helman Mkhalele scored. Richard Farrer netted for Usuthu.
The teams have never met in the final of the top eight competition before, but did do battle in the deciders for the Life Challenge Cup (now Nedbank Cup) in 1973 and 1974. Pirates won on both occasions, claiming 5-2 and 1-0 victories respectively.
The teams have met on 69 previous occasions in all competitions since 1985, with Pirates leading the head-to-head 32-11. There have been 26 draws. The Buccaneers have managed 98 goals in that time to 57 for Usuthu.
They have already played each other this season too, a 1-1 draw in Soweto on 14 October in which Sphesihle Maduna gave Usuthu the lead from the penalty spot, before Pirates equalised when Kermit Erasmus’ shot went in off the back of AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa. Nkosinathi Sibisi also missed a penalty for Pirates in that game.
There have been surprisingly few club clashes down the years with only five since 1985.
AmaZulu got their only win with a 1-0 success in the 1990 Bob Save Super Bowl semifinals, with Pirates victorious in the next four.
That includes a 2-1 win in the Bob Save first round in 1992, a 2-1 win in the BP Top 8 third-place play-off in 1994, a 3-1 win in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals in 2018-19, and the most recent, a 1-0 Nedbank Cup last 32 victory just last season.
That means AmaZulu’s last cup win over Pirates was 32 years ago when Owen Nzimande scored the only goal.
Pirates are appearing in their second MTN8 final in three years, after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in the 2020 decider. On that occasion, they had to come from behind and secured victory thanks to goals from Deon Hotto and Thembinkosi Lorch.
The Buccaneers have been to 16 finals in the top eight competition in all, winning 10 of those. This will be Pirates’ sixth final since MTN took over sponsorship of the competition in 2008, with no team having been to more in that time.
They have three wins (2010, 2011, 2020) and two defeats (2013, 2014) in the previous five.
Both Pirates coach Jose Riveiro and AmaZulu tactician Romain Folz are seeking a first trophy win in South African football. It will be almost instant success for both men, having joined their clubs this season.