Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, in particular, will have something to say about that, but for all the clubs there is a massive R10-million carrot being dangled for the winners of the October 10 final.
The tournament has been played in its current guise since 2008 and, since then, there have been some excellent individual and team performances.
Here is a look at some of the standout statistics over the past 18 years.
Most goals by a player
Daine Klate holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in the MTN8, with nine. Klate’s goals came for SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits, including two for the latter in their 2016 final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sharp Arrows!
The biggest victory in MTN8 history was Lamontville Golden Arrows’ 6-0 win over Ajax Cape Town in the 2009 final. Pirates beat Sekhukhune United 5-0 in the 2023 quarter-finals, which is the second-largest victory.
Most goals in a game
Kaizer Chiefs’ 5-3 quarter-final victory over Maritzburg United in 2015 saw eight goals scored in an epic encounter that was only decided in extra time. Chiefs trailed 2-0, went ahead 3-2 and then conceded again as the game finished 3-3 after 90 minutes before they pulled away in extra time.
Hat-trick hero
Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa remains the only player to score a hat-trick in the MTN8 since 2008. He netted a treble for the Buccaneers in their 5-0 quarter-final victory over Sekhukhune United in 2023.
Most clean sheets
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams holds the record for the most clean sheets in the MTN8, with 13 in the 32 matches he has played to date for SuperSport United and Sundowns. Eight of those came in the colours of Matsatsantsa and five with Sundowns.
Oldest goalscorer
The oldest player to score in the MTN8 since 2008 was AmaZulu forward Lehlohonolo Majoro, who netted against former side Cape Town City in the quarter-finals in 2022. The striker was aged 36 years and eight days when he found the back of the net.
Youngest goalscorer
The youngest player to score in the MTN8 is Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng, who was 19 years, 10 months and five days old when he scored against Cape Town City in the 1-1 semi-final first-leg draw in the 2024 competition.
Shoot-outs
A total of 19 ties have gone to penalties since the MTN8 was first played 18 years ago. Pirates have been involved in five, or more than 25% of those. They have won three and lost two, including their victory over Sundowns in the 2023 final.
The Brazilians have been involved in six shoot-outs, although they have won only two of those. The team with the most shoot-out appearances is the now-defunct SuperSport United, who featured in seven and also won only two.
