Orlando Pirates veteran Dion Hotto had never lost an MTN8 final until Saturday. The 35-year-old utility player was part of the side beaten 2-0 by Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium, ending a flawless run in the competition.
How the Final Ended
Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring early on, and substitute Iqraam Rayners doubled the lead with a late penalty. The win is Sundowns’ fifth MTN8 title, which the source describes as their third since the PSL began in 1996.
What the Defeat Cost Pirates
Pirates had been the only team in the country without a defeat in any competition this season, with 12 games played, 10 won and two drawn. This was their first loss of the campaign and their first in the MTN8 since 24 September 2023. It also meant they could not draw level with Kaizer Chiefs’ record of 15 MTN8 titles.
Hotto’s Remarkable Record
Before Saturday, Hotto had played in five MTN8 finals and won them all. His first title came in 2020 under Josef Zinnbauer, when Pirates beat Bloemfontein Celtic in the final. He then won the next four in a row, taking his tally to five, which is more than any other player in PSL history.
In total, Hotto has won nine trophies:
- MTN8: five
- Nedbank Cup: two
- League title: one
- Carling Knockout Cup: one
How many more trophies can Hotto add? Tell us in the comments.
