Clubs Qualified For The MTN8 Cup Next Season: One Spot Still Up For Grabs

The race for next season’s MTN8 Cup is almost settled. Seven clubs have done enough to secure their places, but one spot is still not confirmed as the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season heads into its final weekend.

Seven Clubs Are Already In

A look at the current Betway Premiership standings shows that most of the clubs set to feature in next season’s MTN8 Cup are already safe. Based on where things stand right now, the eight-team line-up would look like this:

Mamelodi Sundowns
Durban City
Orlando Pirates
Polokwane City
Kaizer Chiefs
Golden Arrows
AmaZulu FC
Sekhukhune United

Of these eight clubs, seven are mathematically assured of their places. Mamelodi Sundowns and Polokwane City have already completed their league campaigns. The rest, apart from Durban City, have enough points to guarantee a top-eight finish regardless of what happens on the final day.

Durban City Are Not Safe Yet

The only side among the current top eight who still face uncertainty is Durban City. Their place in next season’s MTN8 Cup is under real threat heading into the last round of matches.

Two clubs are capable of overtaking them: Stellenbosch FC and Siwelele FC. If either side produces a strong enough result next Saturday, they could push Durban City out of the top eight and claim the final MTN8 qualification spot for themselves.

That means the eighth and final place in the MTN8 top-eight race will only be fully confirmed after the last set of Betway Premiership fixtures are played.

Why The MTN8 Cup Matters

The MTN8 Cup is one of the most important and rewarding knockout competitions in South African football. It is contested at the very start of each new season and gives clubs an early chance to win silverware and build confidence going forward.

There is also serious money involved. The team that wins the MTN8 Cup will take home R10 million. Even the seven clubs who do not go on to win the trophy will each receive R1 million simply for qualifying and taking part.

That financial reward makes finishing inside the top eight a major priority for clubs every season.

Orlando Pirates are the current MTN8 champions, having won the competition last season.

What Happens Next

The final round of Betway Premiership matches will be played next Saturday. For most clubs already qualified for the MTN8, those games carry little weight in terms of top-eight standings.

But for Durban City, Stellenbosch FC, and Siwelele FC, next Saturday is everything. One of those three sides will claim the last place among the clubs qualified for the MTN8 Cup next season, and there is no room for error.

Once the final matches are done, the full eight-club line-up for next season’s MTN8 Cup will be confirmed.

FAQ

Which clubs have already qualified for the MTN8 Cup next season?

Seven clubs are currently safe: Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs, Golden Arrows, AmaZulu FC, and Sekhukhune United. Durban City are in the eighth spot but are not yet mathematically secure.

Who can still take the final MTN8 qualification spot?

Stellenbosch FC and Siwelele FC can both still overtake Durban City depending on results in the final round of Betway Premiership fixtures next Saturday.

How much money do clubs earn for qualifying for the MTN8?

Each of the eight clubs that qualify for the MTN8 Cup receives R1 million. The club that wins the competition takes home R10 million.

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Clubs Qualified For The MTN8 Cup Next Season: One Spot Still Up For Grabs