SuperSport United were crowned MTN8 champions after claiming a 1-0 victory over Highlands Park at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

Owen Da Gama’s men advanced to the top-eight final following the 4-3 win on penalties over Polokwane City after playing out to a goalless draw at the Makhulong Stadium in the previous stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Kaito Tembo’s side came into this encounter after claiming a 2-0 victory over Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in their last outing in this competition.

This was the first time Highlands and SuperSport met in a competitive cup final.

The Lions of the North showed their intent early on as Mothobi Mvala forced Ronwen Williams into making a superb save to keep out his header.

Clayton Daniels nearly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute but guided his free kick inches wide of goal.

Peter Shalulile should have handed Highlands the lead in the 27th minute, but fired his acrobatic effort over the crossbar after being picked out by Marks Munyai.

SuperSport began to find their rhythm after 32 minutes of play and dominate possession of the ball.

United eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time when Bradley Grobler find the net with a towering header after latching on to a cross from Teboho Mokoena.

SuperSport went into the half-time break with a one-goal lead over Highlands Park.

Matsatsantsa came out with intent in the second half and came close to doubling their lead after 48 minutes, but Evans Rusike fired his effort straight into the hands of Thela Ngobeni.

Highlands had a great opportunity to level matters in the 50th minute but Spiwe Msimango blazed his effort against the woodwork with the net gaping.

At the other end, Grobler missed the chance to extend his side’s lead a minute later after missing the target from point-blank range.

Da Gama made his first substitution of the game after 66 minutes when Tendai Ndoro came on for Mokete Mogaila.

Williams kept his side’s lead intact two minutes later when he produced a good save to keep out Highlands’ effort in a one-on-one situation.

Ndoro should have levelled matters in the 75th minute after he showed his composure to control a long ball before firing his effort wide of the target before Rusike put his effort wide of goal a minute later.

SuperSport made their first substitution in the 78th minute when Reneilwe Letsholonyane replaced Mokoena in midfield before Jamie Webber came on for Sipho Mbule moments later.

Highlands continued to press forward in the closing stages of the game as they went in search of an equallising goal but lacked composure in the final third.

Matsatsantsa made their final change in stoppage time when Bongani Khumalo came on for Thamsanqa Gabuza.

SuperSport held on to their one-goal lead over Highlands at the Orlando Stadium to win the top-eight trophy.