Who is the one legendary South African coach yet to lift the MTN8 since 2008?

Since the MTN8 adopted its current format in 2008, 16 different coaches have guided their teams to the prestigious trophy. For more than a decade, every edition produced a different winning tactician before that trend was finally broken.

Manqoba Mngqithi became the first coach to win the competition twice. His maiden success came in 2009 when he masterminded Lamontville Golden Arrows’ remarkable 6-0 demolition of Ajax Cape Town in the final. Twelve years later, Mngqithi teamed up with Rulani Mokwena to lead Mamelodi Sundowns to MTN8 glory after defeating Cape Town City on penalties in the 2021 final.

That record was later eclipsed by Jose Riveiro, who etched his name into the history books by guiding Orlando Pirates to an unprecedented three consecutive MTN8 titles between 2022 and 2024.

Pirates continued their dominance under Abdeslam Ouaddou, who steered the Buccaneers to another triumph in 2025. They now head into the 2026 tournament chasing a remarkable fifth successive MTN8 crown and a sixth title in seven seasons.

While several coaches are aiming to add their names to the prestigious winners’ list this year, one of South African football’s greatest managers remains a notable absentee.

Despite enjoying extraordinary success with Mamelodi Sundowns, Pitso Mosimane never managed to win the MTN8 during the competition’s current era. The legendary coach did lift the Top 8 trophy when it was still known as the SAA Super 8 in 2004, but he was unable to repeat that achievement after the tournament was rebranded in 2008.

Considering his glittering trophy cabinet, Mosimane’s absence from the list of MTN8-winning coaches remains one of the competition’s biggest surprises.

The roll of honour features several of the biggest names to have coached in South African football, including Muhsin Ertugral, Ruud Krol, Stuart Baxter, Roger de Sa, Gavin Hunt, Eric Tinkler, Benni McCarthy and Josef Zinnbauer.

The competition has also provided a platform for coaches who enjoyed career-defining moments. Zeca Marques led Moroka Swallows to the trophy in 2012, while Allan Freese guided Platinum Stars to a memorable triumph the following year.

Julio Cesar Leal also enjoyed MTN8 success with Orlando Pirates in 2011, while Kaitano Tembo claimed the trophy with SuperSport United in 2019.

Across the 18 completed editions of the MTN8 in its current format, eight South African coaches and 10 foreign tacticians have lifted the trophy.

Among the coaches taking part in this year’s competition, only Abdeslam Ouaddou has previously won the tournament.

The likes of Miguel Cardoso, Fernando Da Cruz, Cedric Kaze, Arthur Zwane, Khalil Ben Youssef, Willy Moloto and Pitso Dladla will all be hoping to secure their first MTN8 title.

The 2026 MTN8 quarter-finals begin on Saturday, with Orlando Pirates hosting Durban City, while Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Polokwane City later in the evening.

On Sunday, Sekhukhune United travel to face AmaZulu, before Kaizer Chiefs take on Lamontville Golden Arrows in the final quarter-final.

MTN8 winning coaches (2008–2025)

• 2008: Muhsin Ertugral (Kaizer Chiefs)
• 2009: Manqoba Mngqithi (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
• 2010: Ruud Krol (Orlando Pirates)
• 2011: Julio Cesar Leal (Orlando Pirates)
• 2012: Zeca Marques (Moroka Swallows)
• 2013: Allan Freese (Platinum Stars)
• 2014: Stuart Baxter (Kaizer Chiefs)
• 2015: Roger de Sa (Ajax Cape Town)
• 2016: Gavin Hunt (Bidvest Wits)
• 2017: Eric Tinkler (SuperSport United)
• 2018: Benni McCarthy (Cape Town City)
• 2019: Kaitano Tembo (SuperSport United)
• 2020: Josef Zinnbauer (Orlando Pirates)
• 2021: Manqoba Mngqithi & Rulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• 2022: Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
• 2023: Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
• 2024: Jose Riveiro (Orlando Pirates)
• 2025: Abdeslam Ouaddou (Orlando Pirates)