The 2026 MTN8 tournament gets underway this weekend, with South Africa’s top eight clubs set to battle it out for the first major silverware of the new football season.
The Premier Soccer League and MTN have officially launched this year’s tournament under the theme “Wafa Wafa, There Can Only Be One”, highlighting the knockout nature of the competition.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates will return to defend their title, while Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu, Sekhukhune United, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Polokwane City and newcomers Durban City complete the line-up.
Kaizer Chiefs are also back in the MTN8 after missing last season’s tournament and will face Golden Arrows in their opening quarter-final.
MTN SA’s Kholofelo Magagane said the tournament is about more than football, bringing supporters together while creating opportunities for fans and communities.
She said the “There Can Only Be One” theme captures the intensity of the knockout competition, where every match presents a chance to define a season.
The quarter-finals will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
Orlando Pirates host Durban City at the Amstel Arena on Saturday at 3pm, before Mamelodi Sundowns face Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 6pm.
On Sunday, AmaZulu take on Sekhukhune United at Chatsworth Stadium at 3pm, while Kaizer Chiefs face Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium at 6pm.
Off the field, MTN is offering customers a chance to win a share of R10 million in weekly prizes through its Recharge and Win campaign.
Prepaid customers who recharge with R30 or more daily can claim 500MB of streaming data through the MTN App and enter the competition for prizes including fan experiences, MoMo, grocery and fuel vouchers.
One customer will also be crowned the Ultimate Fan through the Last Fan Standing competition and win R1 million.
MTN will also donate R20,000 for every goal scored during regulation time throughout the tournament as part of its Goals for Charity initiative.
