Bucs, Stars out to make mark

TOMORROW’s MTN8 final will be 39th since the concept was introduced in 1972 soon after the launch of the National Professional Soccer League,

It is a competition unique to SA, recognising the achievement of the top eight teams of the previous league season.

Platinum Stars will attempt to become the 13th club to win the competition while Pirates chase their 10th title, tracking the record 14 successes that their archrivals Kaizer Chiefs have already achieved.

Pirates were the first winners of the competition in 1972 and had success again in 1974, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000 and their back-toback triumphs of 2010 and 2011.

The first tournament had only four competitors and a single final at the Orlando Stadium, in which Elias Mokopane scored the winner for Orlando Pirates in a 3-2 win over Kaizer Chiefs.

Since then, Pirates have beaten Moroka Swallows (twice), Benoni United, Highlands Park, Witbank Black Aces, QwaQwa Stars, Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs again in the final.