Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned MTN8 Cup competition Champions after a thrilling penalty shootout against Cape Town City at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Both teams played their part in absorbing the pressure from the beginning of the encounter, Bafana Ba Style’s Rivaldo Coetzee was the first to break the ice in the opening minutes with a shot towards Hugo Marques in goals. The Brazilians continued building up their momentum and pressing forward in immense pressure looking for an opening goal.
Thapelo Morena fired Masandawana into the lead after 25 minutes of play, finding the roof of the net from Thabiso Kutumela’s inch-perfect pass with a first-time strike. It was a goal worthy of deciding any contest, however moments later City’s attackers were just as determined to make a statement, Mduduzi Mdantshane’s shot at goal went slightly over the bar as he looked to equalize.
Another goal scare for Masandawana followed just before the half time break, this time defender and Captain Thamsanqa Mkhize saw an opportunity to equalize, however Downs shot stopper Denis Onyango was ready to put it out of sight.
After the break both sides looked to harass each other into making errors with an intense high press. The Brazilians made changes immediately as the game returned, Kermit Erasmus was given the chance in the entertaining clash, whilst Neo Maema, S’phelele Mkhulise, Aubrey Modiba, Haashim Domingo and Sibusiso Vilakazi were introduced at a later stage.
The closing stages of the game saw the match turn into an end-to-end encounter as both sides took turns attacking. City’s pressure eventually paid off as Fagrie Lakay found the back of the net to level the matters and keep his team in the race for the Wafa-Wafa trophy. After an entertaining 1-1 draw in Durban, extra time was set to separate the two determined teams, however that also was not enough to decide on the winners of the cup competition, and it was to a penalty shootout that was set to determine the outcome.
Bafana Ba Style had a very dramatic ending in their Cup quest with the Ugandan international goalie saving the majority of City’s penalty shots as the game went to sudden death. The Brazilians triumphed 3-2 in the spot kicks to end their long awaited MTN8 Cup drought and Onyango was awarded Man of the match award for his fantastic performance.
This is how we lined up: D. Onyango, R. Coetzee (114′ Vilakazi), M. Lebusa, K. Mudau (80′ Maema), L. Lakay (114′ Domingo), T. Morena, G. Kekana, A. Jali, T. Kutumela (45′ Erasmus), T. Zwane (100, P. Shalulile
Subs: K. Mweene, R. De Reuck, A. Modiba, H. Domingo, S. Mkhulise, K. Erasmus, N. Maema, S. Vilakazi, P. Safranko
Even though We won yesterday but I’m not happy about few things,firstly we shouldn’t have went to extra time if Morena did just the basic of playing football by passing the ball to Shalulile who was on good position to just tap in but he chose to be selfish and this are the things that deprived us from progressing further to the Champs League,secondly is Onyango I mean our goalkeeper can hold too much to the ball not clearing it on time and he’s a poor distributor of the ball and the equaliser came from that,lastly I appeal to our Wisemen not to overload Shalulle pls provide him with a striking partner which is forceful like Motupa not too distance future the poor boy will burnt out because Erasmus is just a passenger. I won’t talk about the opposition fans when they accusing Onyango for moving before the penalties were taken because even the opposition goalkeeper was doing the same its just that our players missed completely but Onyango saved them, Kby forever
Congrats to the team, the players and everyone else associated with Sundowns.
Fully agreed with Muzi relating to Thapelo chance.
It was a lesson to him and he will grow from that mistake.
Coming to the game, it was a very nice game though I nearly died of heart attack during penalties.
Good fight team, can we please see gift Mothupa in the team please instead of Erasmus who does not want to fight for any ball.
We are Mamelodi Sundowns. 👆👆👆👆
some people think they are better than the appointed coaches – coaches and players are human beings but with an added talent of managing people and planning for the future playing squad . people plz be supporters and stop being annoying cry babies . coaches will definitely make mistakes but I am sure they try by all means to minimise them. and you people want them to be perfect as if you are perfect yourselves. Muzi Kunene sorry to say this but you are annoying bro.
big congratulations to the Club but my big question is why Peter Shalulile seems unhappy ,no more flamboyant celebrations ,shushing invisible people,and was recently reported by (Julia Stewart)to be reluctant to comment after the cup win .
why
why
why