Orlando Pirates veteran loses first ever MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates veteran Dion Hotto lost his first ever MTN8 final as his side was beaten 2-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and substitute Iqraam Rayners doubled the scorin1g with a late penalty.

This was Sundowns’ only fifth MTN8 title, and their third since the inception of the PSL in 1996.

For Pirates, the loss meant they were unable to equal Kaizer Chiefs’ long-standing record of 15 MTN8 titles since 1972.

As reported by The South African, the Sea Robbers went into this encounter as the only team with no defeat across all competitions this season.

They had played 12, won 10 and drawn two, meaning this was their first loss of the season, and their first in the MTN8 since 24 September 2023.

ORLANDO PIRATES VETERAN DION HOTTO MISSES OUT ON MTN8 TITLE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Now, for Hotto, this was his first ever MTN8 final loss having previously been involved in five and winning them all.

His first MTN8 title came in 2020 with Pirates as then coach Josef Zinnbauer guided them past Bloemfontein Celtic in the final.

Hotto would then win the last four MTN8 titles in a row to take his tally to five – still, no player in the PSL history has won more.

Overall, the 35-year-old has won a total of NINE trophies – FIVE MTN8 titles, TWO Nedbank Cup titles, ONE league title and ONE Carling Knockout Cup title.