MTN 8 is the current branding for a South African soccer cup competition launched in 1972 for teams who finished in the top 8 positions of the league table of the country's preceding top-flight league (currently the Betway Premiership) season.
| Founded | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Region |  South Africa |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Current champions | Orlando Pirates (13th title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Kaizer Chiefs (15 titles) |
| Television broadcasters | |
| Motto | Wafa Wafa (Do or Die) |
 2024 MTN 8 | |
The winners receive R10 million and the competition's trophy, which is one of the three domestic trophies attainable by its competitors each soccer season, with the other two being the top-flight league title and the country's premier knock-out competition, the Nedbank Cup.[1]
The competition bears the name of its title sponsor; it was known as the BP Top 8 and as the SAA Supa 8 until 2008.[2]
Format
editSince the competition features 8 teams, the first round, also known as the quarter-finals, has the following format:
- 1st-place team v 8th-placed team
- 2nd-placed team v 7th-placed team
- 3rd-placed team v 6th-placed team
- 4th-placed team v 5th-placed team
The second round, or the semi-finals, are played over two legs.
Prize money
editAs of 2024,[update] the prize money is as follows:[1]
| Amount | Payable to |
|---|---|
| R10 000 000 | 1 MTN 8 champions |
| R1 000 000 | 7 participating teams |
| R17 000 000 | Total payout |
Winners
editThe previous winners of the competition are as follows:
As BP Top 8 (1972–2002)
- 1972 : Orlando Pirates
- 1973 : Orlando Pirates (2)
- 1974 : Kaizer Chiefs
- 1975 : Moroka Swallows
- 1976 : Kaizer Chiefs (2)
- 1977 : Kaizer Chiefs (3)
- 1978 : Orlando Pirates (3)
- 1979 : Moroka Swallows (2)
- 1980 : Witbank Black Aces
- 1981 : Kaizer Chiefs (4)
- 1982 : Kaizer Chiefs (5)
- 1983 : Orlando Pirates (4)
- 1984 : Wits University
- 1985 : Kaizer Chiefs (6)
- 1986 : Arcadia Shepherds
- 1987 : Kaizer Chiefs (7)
- 1988 : Mamelodi Sundowns
- 1989 : Kaizer Chiefs (8)
- 1990 : Mamelodi Sundowns (2)
- 1991 : Kaizer Chiefs (9)
- 1992 : Kaizer Chiefs (10)
- 1993 : Orlando Pirates (5)
- 1994 : Kaizer Chiefs (11)
- 1995 : Wits University (2)
- 1996 : Orlando Pirates (6)
- 2000 : Orlando Pirates (7)
- 2001 : Kaizer Chiefs (12)
- 2002 : Santos
As SAA Super 8 (2003–2007)
- 2003 : Jomo Cosmos
- 2004 : Supersport United
- 2005 : Bloemfontein Celtic
- 2006 : Kaizer Chiefs (13)
- 2007 : Mamelodi Sundowns (3)
As MTN 8 (2008–present)
- 2008 : Kaizer Chiefs (14)
- 2009 : Golden Arrows
- 2010 : Orlando Pirates (8)
- 2011 : Orlando Pirates (9)
- 2012 : Moroka Swallows (3)
- 2013 : Platinum Stars
- 2014 : Kaizer Chiefs (15)
- 2015 : Ajax Cape Town[3][4]
- 2016 : Bidvest Wits (3)
- 2017 : Supersport United (2)
- 2018 : Cape Town City
- 2019 : Supersport United (3)
- 2020 : Orlando Pirates (10)
- 2021 : Mamelodi Sundowns (4)
- 2022 : Orlando Pirates (11)
- 2023 : Orlando Pirates (12)
- 2024 : Orlando Pirates (13)
Results by team
edit| Club | Wins | First final won | Last final won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaizer Chiefs | 15 | 1974 | 2014 |
| Orlando Pirates | 13 | 1972 | 2024 |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 4 | 1988 | 2021 |
| Moroka Swallows | 3 | 1975 | 2012 |
| Bidvest Wits | 3 | 1984 | 2016 |
| Supersport United | 3 | 2004 | 2019 |
| Arcadia Shepherds | 1 | 1986 | 1986 |
| Santos | 1 | 2002 | 2002 |
| Jomo Cosmos | 1 | 2003 | 2003 |
| Witbank Black Aces | 1 | 1980 | 1980 |
| Bloemfontein Celtic | 1 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Golden Arrows | 1 | 2009 | 2009 |
| Platinum Stars | 1 | 2013 | 2013 |
| Ajax Cape Town | 1 | 2015 | 2015 |
| Cape Town City | 1 | 2018 | 2018 |
References
edit- ^ a b "R10 million up for grabs in MTN8". SABC. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ "SAA takes over Top 8". News24. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Ajax Cape Town trump Kaizer Chiefs to become MTN8 champions". The Citizen. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Ajax stun Chiefs to win MTN8". News 24. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.