The Premier Soccer League and one of their sponsors are engaged in deep discussions regarding the future of a knockout competition that is the season opener for domestic football. The MTN8 gets the ball rolling by pitting the teams that finished in the Top Eight during the previous season against each other. But the two parties are yet to renew their partnership, even though the competition is expected to get underway in August, as per the norm.
News reaching Soccer Laduma is that the mobile company intends to change their marketing strategy and are not too sure whether they should continue with the marriage that started back in 2008 or pursue their interest in a different direction. But Siya sources have also indicated that while a new contract has not yet been finalised, the company has nonetheless assured the PSL that they would still share the same bed next season while pondering their relationship.
The MTN8 brought several innovations with their competition which they dubbed Wafa-Wafa and "winner takes all". In other words, the winner of the tournament takes home a whooping R8 million, while the seven other participating teams receive R800 000 each irrespective of whether they were eliminated in the quarterfinals or semi-finals.
The Man of the Match in each game receive R8000, while the Last Man Standing or the Player of the Tournament pockets R80 000. The draw for the next edition pits league champions Mamelodi Sundowns against eighth-placed Swallows FC, with runners-up Orlando Pirates going toe-to-toe with seventh-positioned Sekhukhune United. In the third quarterfinal, SuperSport United, placed third, cross swords with Stellenbosch FC, who finished sixth. Fourth- and fifth-placed, in Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs, square off in a potentially mouth-watering tie down in the Mother City.
What are your thoughts on the MTN8 competition?
