Mamelodi Sundowns showed incredible character on their way to clinching the Telkom Knockout Cup with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Coach Pitso was able to shuffle the pack and call upon several players who were rested against Stellenbosch FC midweek as Onyango, Lebusa, Morena, Kekana, Langerman, Jali, Sirino and Affonso all returned to the starting XI.
The games’ first chance came within two minutes with Maritzburg midfielder Morgan firing his shot wide after a mix up between the Downs defence.
Maritzburg struck first blood six minutes before the break, a brilliant goal kick from keeper Richard Ofori found its way to Moseamedi who was able to lob and oncoming Denis Onyango and open the scoring.
For the second time in four days, Downs went into the break trailing by a solitary goal. Coach Pitso Mosimane was able to inspire a reaction from his charges as they began the second half with renewed energy.
The persistence eventually paid off as Gaston Sirino played a perfect cross from the left flank for Mauricio Affonso to head home for the equalizer.
Sundowns did not rest on their laurels and continued to push for the lead as the game began to open up.
Downs second of the night came with fifteen minutes to play as in-form striker Mauricio Affonso grabbed his second of the night – which would prove to be the winner – with another header, this time from a Sirino corner.
The Brazilians showed their experience as they managed to control possession in the late stages of the game to see out yet another come-from-behind victory and claim the Telkom Knockout Cup for the first time in four years.
Match Details:
Maritzburg United (39′ Moseamedi) 1 – 2 Mamelodi Sundowns (54′, 74′ Affonso)
Starting Line Ups:
Maritzburg: Ofori, Morgan, Kunene, Mngonyama, De Reuck, Allie, Buchanan, Claasen, Shandu, Timm, Moseamedi.
Subs: Mpandle, Sanoka, Jappie, Mekoa, Lea’alafa, Kutumela, Augusto.
Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Morena, Madisha, Jali, Kekana, Lebusa, Zwane, Mkhulise, Sirino, Affonso.
Subs: Mweene, Arendse, Lakay, Ngcongca, Makgalwa, Mabunda, Vilakazi.
Well done boys, thank you for continued hard work. Ka bo yellow i remain. The zebras was also beaten. We are on our way back N3 will be painted yellow.
Good win considering our hectic schedule,guys you made the Downs family very proud happy.Mr coach I think you should consider giving Banagaly a chance to avoid over working Madisha and Lebusa,we have a very congested schedule this December.To the coach,I really think Moseamedi is a champions league material,his attitude is right,he is powerful and hungry,he is got never say die attitude and also fight throughout the game.Pls do something b4 is too late.
Shappa Dawana shappa u have made us proud
Those who say we benefited yesterday are crazy,Kwanda kicked Lebusa in the 1s half and we didn’t get a penalty so if Judas was not offside then we are even.During the midweek game van heerden handled the ball,instead of awarding us a penalty the ref penalized Adrense,so we are yet to benefit.Masandawana a mahle celebrate with peace we didn’t rob anyone,we scored 2 legitimate goals and were denied a legitimate penalty,now let’s focus @ the Wits game.When others were busy buying specials on Black Friday were in Morocco and now when other teams busy eating 7 colours on Chritmas we will be on our to Algeria so we deserve this cup.Happy Chritmas and a prosperous New year to all the Downs family and thanks to the technical team and players for giving us a big Christmas gift in Telekom Cup.
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Rea leboga Rea leboga Rea leboga and Well done Masandawana The sky is the limit ???????????????
Thank you Masandawana for a convincing win, It was proved that the lines man was right. we never benefited and penalty denied for Lebusa kicked in the 18 area. at Bernard we don’t need a Goalkeeper but our goalkeepers will need to work some ideas in our goalkeeper, They stay too much on their lines and not come out and collect balls instead they stay on their lines, Communication between them and his defenders was poor on Saturday hence Moseamedi nearly killed us, Concentration and focus during the game. So the coach can fix those mistakes. Lastly Members who were not at the stadium you lost a lot. I DID NOT SEE VAAL BRANCH AT MOSES MABIDA. Please wake up Masandawana. Let us prepare 4 buses for January the 4th 2020, Amazulu.Please my branch.
What a present for us!! Thank Sundowns team for making your supporters proud, we really asked and begged you to win us a trophy and you have done it. You can not imagine the joy you have given to us, we feel good and great especially when you we end a year like this, this victory was just preparing us for the victories of the future in procession . We are very happy, Continue in these three cups that remain. Winning feels good for everybody involved. All the Best in tomorrow’s match.
Well said Member Sundowns have given me a Christmas gift already, Winning the last 3 games this month will be a big bonus for us and i know they will do it. HARD LUCK Maritzburg anyway we had no choice but to do the honours. Moseamedi was just Off side.
I say thank you to the team for this cup. It means so much to us supporters of this club. Every day we are outnumbered 10 to 1 or 20 to 1 by Chiefs and Pirates fans at work and in our communities. This cup victory now speaks for us in our soccer debates