PSL hands players incentive to score goals in MTN8 final

Supersport United and Highlands Park contest the MTN8 final on Saturday evening, and each set of players has been handed extra motivation to go for goal a the two sides do battle at Orlando Stadium.

The previous edition of the competition saw the final decided in a shootout, after neither United – now back for a third consecutive – nor Cape Town City could find the net in regulation time.

MTN 8 final: Big money up for grabs for goal scorers

This time around, the Premier Soccer League (PSL), along with competition sponsors MTN, have given the players an added incentive to keep the goals coming, with R25 000 set up for grabs for each player who finds the net.

The big payday is not only restricted to those whose scoring boots are in top shape, as the prize for the man of the match has been increased to R25 000, from the usual R8 000.

According to MTN, it’s to mark 12 years of the communications giant sponsoring the competition.

So far, 13 goals have been scored in the tournament since it started in the second week of the 2019/20 season.

Supersport United vs Highlands Park: Contrast in goals scored so far

The two sides contesting the final have so far had contrasting fortunes in front of goal, with Supersport not having any trouble finding the net in all three of their fixtures leading up to Saturday.

Matsatsansa have scored a total of six goals, starting with a 3-0 thumping of Bidvest Wits in the quarterfinal before a 3-1 aggregate victory over Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged semis.

The 2017 champions also boast the competition’s leading goal scorer in Thamsanqa Gabuza, who netted half their goals so far.

Highlands Park, on the contrary, have collected slim pickings in front of goal on their way to their first ever cup final.

The Lions of the North have just one goal in open play to show for their efforts, a last-gasp strike by Wayde Jooste in the dying moments of their quarterfinal against Orlando Pirates – a game played at the same venue the final will be taking place. 

Their semifinal tie against Polokwane City had to be decided via a penalty shootout after either leg ended without a goal being scored.

The winning team in Saturday’s MTN8 final stands to pocket R8 million in prize money.

Kick off is at 18:00 (SAST).