Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana says the club’s failure to win a domestic trophy last season has strengthened their determination to reclaim silverware as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on Saturday.
The two South African football heavyweights will meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with both sides aiming to become the first team to secure a domestic trophy this season. The match will also mark their first meeting in any competition during the current campaign.
For Sundowns, the final represents an opportunity to turn a promising start into another piece of silverware and put last season’s disappointment behind them.
FIFA Intercontinental Success Boosts Sundowns’ Confidence
Sundowns head into the final after winning the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup shortly before the international break, giving the Pretoria-based club another reason to approach the contest with confidence.
However, they face a Pirates side that enters the match as the reigning Betway Premiership champions and will be determined to maintain its recent success in the MTN8.
Both teams remain unbeaten in the league this season, underlining the competitive nature of the upcoming encounter.
Sundowns have nevertheless experienced a setback in the MTN8 itself. They lost the first leg of their semi-final 1-0 at home against Golden Arrows before producing a 3-2 victory in the return leg to overturn the deficit and reach the final.
Kekana Says the Rivalry Is Not Personal
Despite the history between the two clubs, Kekana has played down the personal aspect of the rivalry, insisting that Sundowns’ priority is to improve on last season rather than focus on their opponents.
The defender told the media that the team was keen to build on its strong start to the campaign and maintain the positive atmosphere within the squad.
He also pointed to the opportunities being given to different players, suggesting that competition for places has helped keep the team motivated and ready for the challenge.
For Kekana, the final will come down to Sundowns executing their game plan and producing the performance required to secure a positive result.
Four-Time Defending Champions Stand in Their Way
Sundowns last won the MTN8 in 2021, leaving them with an opportunity to end their wait for the competition’s trophy.
Pirates, meanwhile, have established themselves as the tournament’s dominant side in recent years, having won the MTN8 four consecutive times heading into Saturday’s final.
That record adds another layer of pressure to the contest, although Kekana has made it clear that Sundowns are concentrating on their own ambitions rather than treating the match as a personal battle.
The Brazilians will need to overcome the holders if they are to begin rebuilding their domestic trophy collection.
Sundowns Determined to Put Last Season Behind Them
Kekana acknowledged that Sundowns fell short of their expectations in domestic competitions last season, when they failed to win any local trophies.
He said the club’s ambitions extend beyond simply participating in tournaments, explaining that Sundowns approach competitions with the intention of dominating and winning.
The defender believes the team has already put itself in a position to challenge for domestic honours this season, although he admitted that the players are still adjusting as the campaign progresses.
That renewed determination, combined with their positive start, has given the squad additional motivation ahead of the final.
Team Unity Could Prove Crucial in Durban
Sundowns will look to translate their early-season momentum into a performance capable of ending Pirates’ recent MTN8 dominance.
Kekana stressed that the players remain positive and closely matched in terms of readiness, with the focus firmly on carrying out the team’s plans on the pitch.
With both clubs unbeaten in the league and eager to claim the first domestic silverware of the season, Saturday’s showdown promises a significant test for two sides with major ambitions.
For Sundowns, victory would provide an early answer to last season’s disappointment. For Pirates, another MTN8 triumph would extend their remarkable run in the competition and reinforce their status as its reigning champions.
