The MTN 8 is the oldest cup competition in the country and pits the eight best teams from the previous season against each other in a seeded knockout competition format.
"Since the inception of the Top 8 in 1972, we have seen the birth of many legends and some truly memorable matches. This year, with the exciting innovations introduced by the PSL and the new sponsor MTN, I feel that the competition will be fiercer than ever before and I am certain that there are no favourites," said Dr Irvin Khoza, Chairman of the PSL.
"Congratulations to MTN and welcome to the family of professional soccer sponsors," concluded Dr Khoza.
"As the only African global sponsor of the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa, MTN has shown its passion for football. Through the MTN 8 competition we are taking that passion and giving South African football fans the opportunity to see the best clubs in the country competing for the lucrative R8-million, winner-takes-all prize Wafa Wafa! (which loosely translated means last man standing)," said Pieter Verkade, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN SA.
While the winner takes all, each team will receive R800 000 for participating in the tournament.
He says that the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa will be more than just a competition, but a festival of football that encourages fans to celebrate their passion for the beautiful game. Throughout the duration of the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa, fans will be able to compete in the 'Last Fan Standing' competition.
"Just like the teams, we encourage the fans to go all out and demonstrate their passion for the game and their club, to determine who the ultimate football supporter of the MTN 8 Wafa Wafa competition will be. The most passionate fans at each match will be selected to take part in a half-time competition with the crowd voting for the winner. The eight winners from each of the matches will then go through to the final where they will compete for the ultimate prize, and to be crowned the ultimate MTN 8 Wafa Wafa fan," he says.
The MTN 8 Wafa Wafa kicks off on August 8, 9 and 10, with one quarterfinal match taking place on Friday, two on Saturday and one on the Sunday. The first leg of semifinals will be staged on the weekend of August 16 and 17 and the second leg of the semifinals will take place on 23 and 24 August. The final will take place on September 21, World Peace Day, and through this match, South Africa will join the rest world in commemorating the day.
Full Fixtures:
Joburg Stadium: Orlando Pirates vs SuperSport United - August 8, 20:00
Olympia Park: Moroka Swallows vs Ajax Cape Town - August 9, 15:00
Loftus Stadium: Kaizer Chiefs vs Santos - August 9, 20:00
Super Stadium: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Free State Stars - August 10, 15:00
