MTN8 Cup Guide: Format, Records and Betting

The MTN8, a unique knockout tournament in South African football, selects its participants based on their finishing position in the previous league season. It showcases the Top 8 teams and has been a standout event in football circles.

On this page · 5 sections

1. Top 5 Online Sports Betting Sites
2. Sponsors and a record run
3. Extra time, penalties and your bets
4. Kaizer Chiefs and a changing format
5. MTN8 records

Sponsors and a record run

For a quarter-century, BP served as the primary sponsor, followed by South African Airways and cellular operators MTN. Orlando Pirates became the first club in MTN8 history to win four finals in a row.

Extra time, penalties and your bets

Matches in the MTN8 can extend beyond the normal 90 minutes. Standard football bets such as match result or over/under goals do not include extra time, unless otherwise stated in the betting rules. Extra time in a knockout tie consists of two 15-minute halves to determine a winner.

If the scores remain level after extra time, competitions move to a penalty shootout. This format has led to memorable moments, such as Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango remarkably saving five penalties in a shootout against Cape Town City in the 2021 MTN8 final.

Kaizer Chiefs and a changing format

Kaizer Chiefs are the most successful team in MTN8 history, securing 15 wins from 21 finals appearances, including their last title in 2014. The structure of the cup has evolved, with the semi-finals played over two legs and, from 1973 until 1990, a two-legged final. However, seasons 1977 and 1997 to 1999 went ahead without the cup.

MTN8 records

Example. Kaizer Chiefs won 15 of their 21 finals, a 71% record, so an R100 bet on Chiefs to lift the trophy once in a final breaks even at decimal odds of 1.40. A 90-minute match result bet on the same final loses if it is drawn and goes to extra time.