Semi-Final Victors and Defeats in the MTN8 Tournament
In the realm of South African football, the semi-final stages and beyond of Cup competitions have proven to be a challenge for Mamelodi Sundowns. Over the past few years, they have lost six out of twelve matches at this stage, a fact that has left many questioning their resilience under pressure.
Opponents often find key moments to capitalise on Sundowns' defensive mistakes and tactical shortcomings, making their victories uncertain until the final whistle. This was evident in the 2024 Nedbank Cup final, where Orlando Pirates turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win, and in the 2025 Nedbank semi-final, where Sundowns, despite scoring first, ultimately lost the match.
Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have shown remarkable resilience, particularly against Sundowns. Abdeslam Ouaddou, their coach, can be proud of the team's ability to come back from a goal down, as demonstrated in their recent match against Sundowns.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch FC have found success in Cup competitions, reaching the final in eight out of ten tournaments over the last two years. Their Cup form may provide a confidence boost for their poor league form at the start of the season. In their recent match against Orlando Pirates, they drew 1-1, adding to their 2-0 first-leg win, securing their progression to the next round.
The departures of Monnapule Saleng (on loan) and Mohau Nkota (overseas move) from Orlando Pirates have left some fans wondering how their contributions will be replaced. However, Pirates have set a new record by reaching four consecutive finals in the 50-year history of the competition, and they have knocked Sundowns out at this stage more times than any other team in the PSL era.
In the Champions League, Sundowns drew at home in the 2025 Champions League final 1st leg, eventually losing the overall tie. They also failed to capitalise on early advantages in several Cup finals and semi-finals, including the 2024 Carling Cup final and the 2025 MTN8 semi-finals.
Borussia Dortmund, a formidable opponent in international competitions, has only managed to beat Sundowns once in the last twelve matches from the semi-finals or later in cup competitions.
Despite these setbacks, Sundowns' coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, will be hoping to turn things around in future Cup competitions. For the fans, the question remains: can Sundowns break their semi-final curse and return to their former glory?
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