{
  "id": 12591019,
  "title": "‘Sundowns can never be underdogs’ – Mkhulise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/sundowns-can-never-be-underdogs-mkhulise",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T09:17:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/sundowns-can-never-be-underdogs-mkhulise/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise has expressed confidence in his team's ability to defeat Orlando Pirates in the upcoming MTN8 final, held at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The rivalry between the two teams is set to continue, with the Sundowns and Pirates facing off for the trophy they last secured together in 2023. This season, Pirates have been dominant in the MTN8, having previously eliminated Sundowns in the semi-finals before going on to win the competition. However, Mkhulise insists that Sundowns cannot be seen as the underdogs. In an interview with the media at Sundowns' Chloorkop headquarters, the 30-year-old midfielder stated, \"Yes, I think we have the advantage because at Sundowns we can never be underdogs. We always have the advantage because we have the best leadership, coaches and the best players.\" The midfielder also emphasized the significance of winning the MTN8 again for Sundowns, as they had last triumphed in the competition back in 2021. \"For us this is an important Cup that we need to win. It has been a while since we haven't won it. Pirates have been dominating and winning this cup so it's important for us to win it,\" he added. Mkhulise feels that Sundowns' recent success, including their victory in the African-Asian Pacific Cup, will bolster their confidence ahead of the final. \"We have started well and we already have a cup this season. We want to continue like that because at Sundowns when the season starts we want to dominate in all the cups that we play in,\" he said. Piratess, on the other hand, are aiming to secure their fifth consecutive MTN8 title. Meanwhile, Masandawana are seeking their first MTN8 victory since 2021. Mkhulise expects a highly competitive match, acknowledging that cup games are more intense than league matches. \"It's not easy to play cup games unlike the league where they always say that it's a marathon,\" the experienced midfielder said. \"In cups everyone knows that it's a once off so people give it their all for 90 minutes, but we always work hard so that we dominate in the league and cup games.\"",
  "summary": "'We always have the advantage because we have the best leadership, coaches and the best players,' he said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mkhulise confident Sundowns can defeat Orlando Pirates in MTN8 final.",
    "Sundowns have best leadership, coaches, and players according to Mkhulise.",
    "Winning MTN8 important for Sundowns after long time without victory."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}