Cup finals are a chance for players to write their names into the history books and the folklore of their clubs.

With the 2012 MTN8 final this weekend between Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United, we look back at 10 heroic performances in Top 8 finals down the years.

Frederick "Congo" Malebane (1979)

Malebane was part of an excellent Moroka Swallows side that also included the likes of Andries "Six Mabone" Maseko, Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba and Joel "Ace" Mnini. Despite this wonderful line-up, trophy wins were not plentiful as their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates continued to dominate. But Malebane was the hero in the 1979 Top 8, netting in both legs to record a famous 4-2 aggregate victory over Pirates.

Meshack Mokwebo (1980)

Pirates would be on the receiving end of a finals defeat the following year too, and this time it was Mokwebo who proved their downfall. With the tie looking as though it would be locked at 1-1, Mokwebo popped up in extra-time to score a winner for Witbank Aces, a rare cup success for them.

Leonard "Wagga Wagga" Likoebe (1982)

Just three players have managed to score hat-tricks in Top 8 finals and the first was Likoebe, who netted his in the second leg against Moroka Swallows to give Kaizer Chiefs a 7-1 aggregate win. Former Bafana Bafana striker Phil Masinga would go on to repeat the feat in 1991 for Jomo Cosmos but still end up on the losing side as they went down 4-3 to Chiefs.

Marks Maponyane (1987)

Maponyane was an excellent goalscorer and a man for the big occasion. His hat-trick in the first leg of the final against Grinaker Rangers in 1987 helped Chiefs to a 5-1 aggregate win.

Bradley Carnell (1995)

Carnell would go on to be a favourite with the Amakhosi faithful in his one season at the club during the 1997-98 campaign before leaving for a successful career in the German Bundesliga. But before then he proved the hero for Wits University when he scored twice in the 1995 Top 8 final to stun Chiefs and give the Clever Boys a first trophy win in a decade.

Cyril Nzama (2001)

By the time the penalty shootout had got to 6-6 in the 2001 Top 8 final between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, it was down to the less regular spot-kick takers to step up to the plate.

Charles Motlohi had already refused for the Brazilians (and was famously slapped by teammate Daniel Mudau for his troubles), leaving his replacement Michael Manzini to miss. That put the pressure on Nzama to score his penalty and earn Chiefs what was then R1-million in prize money. Cool as you like, he converted.

Rotson Kilambe (2005 and 2006)

Kilambe holds a unique record in the Top 8, scoring winning goals in consecutive finals in the tournament . for two different clubs. His lone goal in 2005 helped Bloemfontein Celtic beat SuperSport United, while the following year he scored the winner against SuperSport again, this time in the colours of Kaizer Chiefs.

Itumeleng Khune (2008)

The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper was in inspired form for the Amakhosi in their Top 8 final with Mamelodi Sundowns. Having kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes, he then saved Esrom Nyandoro's spot-kick in the shootout to help Chiefs to a 4-3 win on penalties.

Njabulo Manqana (2009)

Many Orlando Pirates fans were wondering why the club signed Manqana from Lamontville Golden Arrows in January, but had they watched the 2009 Top 8 final they would get a fair idea. Manqana was unplayable that day, helping Abafana Bes'thende to a 6-0 thumping of Ajax Cape Town in which he scored two goals and set up two more.

Oupa Manyisa (2011)

A Soweto derby is always a massive occasion, but when there is silverware on offer the intensity goes up a notch further. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs looked to be heading for the lottery of penalties in the 2011 final before Manyisa unleashed a thunderous shot past Itumeleng Khune, making him an instant hero.

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