The MTN8 tournament will see the Top8 teams from the previous DStv Premiership season coming together in this prestigious knockout competition, well known as Wafa Wafa, Winner Take All, that comes with a grand prize of R8 million.
MTN will ensure customers and football fans know that It’s Wafa Wafa Time despite the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic that restricts fans from filling stadiums and watching the tournament in the manner they used to.
Through the Last Fan Standing competition, MTN will reward the cash prize of R1 million to the Last Fan Standing (LFS) to put the consumers and the fans of the beautiful game into the spotlight once again. To enter, the participants need to recharge or buy a bundle.
To kick-off the tournament, the MTN8 2019 champions SuperSport United will lock horns with Abafana Bes’thende, Golden Arrows on Saturday, 14 August at the Princess Magogo Stadium to secure a spot in the running for the grand prize.
From the teams competing in the 2021 tournament, the defending champions Orlando Pirates have won the iconic cup three times, followed by Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United, who have won the title twice. Cape Town City won it once, while Mamelodi Sundowns, Swallows FC and are yet to lift the coveted cup.
Stakes are high for the 2021 MTN8 tournament, and it is without a doubt that each team will demonstrate that fighting spirit in true Wafa Wafa style.
MTN has lined up various activities and rewards to help football fans and MTN consumers feel the spirit of Wafa Wafa – Winner Takes All.
Through the popular “Recharge and Win” competition mechanism, football fans and consumers will once again this year stand a chance to win their share of prizes worth R8 million. To participate in this competition, all they need to do is to opt into the competition by dialling [*144*8#] buy a bundle or recharge with R10 or more, and they could win their share of R8 million in prizes. In addition, they could be the fan that wins R1 million in cash and the 2021 MTN8 Last Fan Standing title.
Through digital engagements, MTN aims to bring fans closer to their football passion by providing curated content on social and digital platforms (ayoba, Twitter, Wafa Wafa 18 Area). Football fans and customers are encouraged to download the ayoba app to participate in the score predictions on match days and to also participate in the Trivia8, to increase their chance of winning. Ayoba is a messaging app for android and IOS mobile phones and can also be used as a WebApp. An added benefit to the app is that MTN users get 1GB of free data per month when using ayoba.
MTN has also planned initiatives aimed at community upliftment.
This year MTN will donate Dream Bags, which consist of football-playing kits, to schools as part of the MTN8 Legacy Programme, to assist budding soccer players in communities. In addition, as part of the MTN8 Goals for Charity initiative (GFC), MTN will pledge R20 000 for each goal scored during the tournament.
Journalists are an integral part of the success of the MTN8 tournament and campaign. They will again this year participate in the Last Journalist Standing competition where they could win their share of the R8 million in prizes.
“It is that time of the year again where great soccer teams in Mzansi take on each other in true Wafa Wafa style for the glory of being crowned the MTN8 champions, a time that football fans look forward to each year.
Irrespective of the challenges we might be experiencing with the various lockdown levels, the spirit of Wafa Wafa lives on! It is the love of the game, the vibe, the energy, the banter, the passion, the connections, the moments, the rivalry, the wins, the losses, the highs, the lows. They don’t live in the stadium; they live in us! It is this spirit that will ensure we remain socially connected, even if we are physically apart”, said Nomsa Mazibuko, GM Brand & Communications at MTN SA.
This year MTN has again partnered with football Legends who will engage with the media and fans using various platforms during the tournament period.
| Lucky Lekgwathi | Fabian McCarthy |
| Joseph Makhanya | Josta Dladla |
| Katlego Mphela | Lefa Tsutsulupa |
| Sibusiso Zuma | Njabulo Manqana |
MTN is also introducing the Last Legend Standing initiative to further provide much-needed aid to charity. Each Legend will be assigned a team to support in this year’s tournament as well as R40 000 worth of Y’ello Dreams. In remaining true to the spirit of Wafa Wafa, Winner Takes All, one Legend will stand tall at the end of the tournament. Each Legend will contribute R20 000 of their Yello Dreams into a pool where, the Legend whose team will be victorious will receive R180 000 worth of Y’ello Dreams and the Last Legend Standing title, while the remaining seven Legends will each be left with R20 000 worth of Y’ello Dreams – all these funds will be donated to charity.
“MTN is proud to once again provide fans with an opportunity to relive their passion for the beautiful game. Remember It’s Wafa Wafa Time – Winner Take All!” Mazibuko concluded.
MTN8 prize money breakdown for the participating teams:
- R8 million MTN8 Champions
- R800 000 Seven (7) Participating Teams
MTN8 Last Fan Standing prize money breakdown:
- R8 million in prizes throughout the MTN8 Tournament
- Last Fan Standing to win R1 million
The MTN8 2021 tournament dates and fixtures are as follows:
Saturday, 14 August
- Golden Arrows vs SuperSport United (15:00, Princess Magogo Stadium)
- Orlando Pirates vs Swallows FC (18:00, Orlando Stadium)
Sunday, 15 August
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs (15:00, Lucas Moripe Stadium)
- Amazulu vs Cape Town City (18:00, Moses Mabhida Stadium)
Semi Finals
- Saturday, 28 August 2021 (1st Leg Semi-Final)
- Wednesday, 29 September 2021 (2nd Leg Semi-Final)
Wafa Wafa Final
- Saturday, 30 October 2021 (MTN8 Final)
