Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are the only sides to retain the top eight trophy. Chiefs managed it in 1981-1982 and 1991-1992. Pirates managed it in 2010-2011. They did also win the trophy in 1996 and 2000, when there were no tournaments in between.
There have been three cup final hat tricks in the competition’s history – Ace Ntsoelengoe for Chiefs against AmaZulu in 1976, Marks Maponyane for Chiefs against Rangers in 1987 and Phil Masinga for Jomo Cosmos against Chiefs in 1991, when despite his three goals he still finished on the losing side.
Kaizer Chiefs have won the top eight competition 15 times, the most of any team. Their wins have come from 21 final appearances. Next on the lost is Orlando Pirates (10) and then defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns (4).
AmaZulu has never won an MTN8 title and they haven’t won a major trophy since 1992, when they lifted the Coca-Cola Cup.
The winners of this year’s tournament will once again pocket R8-million, the richest prize money in South African knockout football. The other seven competing sides will take home R800,000, irrespective of where they finish.