![\"MTN8](\"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/MTN8-Race-Goes-to-Final-Day-With-One-Top-Eight-Spot-Still-Open.webp\")
<\/p>\nThe MTN8 qualification race is almost done but not quite. Seven of the eight spots for next season’s competition have been filled, and only one place remains to be decided when the Betway Premiership concludes this weekend.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Six clubs had already booked their places before last Saturday’s action. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu, and Sekhukhune United were all confirmed earlier in the season.<\/p>\n
Then came the final push. Golden Arrows sealed their spot with a 2-0 away win over Chippa United, a result that moved them to 40 points and sixth place on the table. It is a significant achievement for Abafana Bes’thende, who are returning to the MTN8 for the first time since the 2020\/21 season.<\/p>\n
Polokwane City joined them on the same day. Rise and Shine drew 1-1 with Marumo Gallants, which was enough to secure their top-eight finish. They also sit on 40 points.<\/p>\n
That leaves seven confirmed. The eighth and final place is still wide open.<\/p>\n
Durban City currently hold eighth place with 39 points. On paper, that looks comfortable. But two teams below them are still capable of knocking them out.<\/p>\n
Stellenbosch FC and Siwelele FC are sitting ninth and tenth respectively, and both clubs are on 36 points. The gap is three points, which means a win for either challenger on the final day combined with a slip from Durban City could change everything.<\/p>\n
There is one factor working in Durban City’s favour right now. Their goal difference stands at zero, while both Stellenbosch and Siwelele carry a goal difference of minus four. That buffer could prove crucial if points end up level after the final round of matches.<\/p>\n
But in football, nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle blows.<\/p>\n
The fixtures are set. Durban City face AmaZulu in their final league game. It will not be an easy task AmaZulu are already confirmed in the top eight and will be looking to finish the season on a high.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch travel to Marumo Gallants, while Siwelele face Sekhukhune United. Both challengers will need to win and hope that Durban City slip up at the same time.<\/p>\n
All three matches will take place with the same prize at stake a seat at the table when the MTN8 kicks off next season.<\/p>\n
The MTN8 is one of South African football’s most valuable competitions. The winner takes home R10 million, while each of the other seven participating clubs earns R1 million just for being part of the tournament.<\/p>\n
That financial reward makes the final spot even more meaningful. For a club like Durban City, holding on would bring real money and real momentum into a new season. For Stellenbosch or Siwelele, breaking into the top eight would be a major statement.<\/p>\n
Most of the MTN8 picture is already painted. Seven clubs know they are in. But for Durban City and their two rivals, Saturday is everything.
\nThree teams, one place, and a final day of Betway Premiership football that could go in any direction. That is what makes the last round of the season worth watching.<\/p>\n
Read Also:<\/strong><\/p>\n MTN8 Race Goes to Final Day With One Top-Eight Spot Still Open The MTN8 qualification race is almost done but not quite. Seven of the eight spots for next season’s competition have been filled, and only one place remains to be decided when the Betway Premiership concludes this weekend. Seven Teams Are In Six clubs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2136","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-premier-soccer-league"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2136"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2139,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2136\/revisions\/2139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/habariforum.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n