The 41st edition of the MTN8 competition kicks off on Tuesday night with the first two quarterfinals in an unusual midweek setting and also heralding the start of the 2015/16 Premier Soccer League campaign. Orlando Pirates host Ajax Cape Town while BidVest Wits entertain SuperSport United in two sumptuous-looking ties that will provide a stern test of new-season readiness for three of those clubs.For Pirates‚ it is a continuation of the same having had no real break since last season as they go in search of a 10th title in the competition since it was first launched as the BP Top Eight in 1972.It is a tournament that has since been dominated not just by clubs from Gauteng‚ but Soweto in particular.The trophy has been lifted on 27 occasions by teams from the area from the 40 previous stagings of the event‚ with defending champions Kaizer Chiefs leading the way with 15 of those wins.Pirates have their nine successes to go with three more from Moroka Swallows as the Soweto teams hold sway.The only other sides to get into the wins column are Mamelodi Sundowns‚ last champions in 2007‚ with three‚ and BidVest Wits‚ aiming for their first success in 20 years to add to their two previous triumphs.Remarkably‚ the first 14 finals featured Soweto teams in them and it was not until the 1986 decider between Arcadia Shepherds and BidVest Wits that the run was broken.The tournament has been played every year since its inception‚ except directly after the formation of the Premier Soccer League between 1997 and 1999‚ but its popularity meant it made a return for 2000.It has also been played in various formats in the 1970s as the number of teams was expanded to 16‚ then bizarrely 17‚ and even the 32 who played in 1976.The biggest margin of victory in the final is also the biggest in any of South Africa’s knockout competitions as Lamontville Golden Arrows crushed Ajax Cape Town 6-0 in 2009.Abafana Bes’thende were rampant that night against a shell-shocked Ajax.Ajax are one of just two clubs in this year’s quarterfinals who have yet to lift the trophy‚ the other being MTN8 debutants Maritzburg United.SuperSport United will hope for better luck if they reach the final. They have been there four times before‚ all in the last 11 years‚ and won only once‚ under Pitso Mosimane in 2004.They then lost finals in 2005‚ 2006 and 2012. – The Times..