Rodgers Puts Sundowns In Final

17 November 2012

Telkom Knockout

Semi-Final

Result: SuperSport United 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns

Date: 17 November 2012

Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium

Referee: Jerome Damon

Mamelodi Sundowns booked a place in the final of the Telkom Knockout as they defeated SuperSport United 1-0 on Saturday.

Eleazar Rodgers was the only man to find the net as SuperSport hit the woodwork on two occasions.

After showing some early dominance it was Sundowns who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Anthony Laffor went storming down the left with a brilliant counter attack and crossed the ball into the centre where Rodgers was on hand to slam it into the back of the net.

There was nearly a blunder in the SuperSport goal as Grant Kekana wrong footed his goalkeeper with a defensive header, but Ronwen Williams showed some acrobatic skills to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Tebogo Langerman then also tested the young goalkeeper with a low driving shot, but again Williams did well to keep the ball out.

SuperSport were desperately unlucky not to equalise just before the break when Kekana went for an audacious long-range effort, but after having the better of keeper Wayne Sandilands, the ball came crashing back off the crossbar.

After the break SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt introduced Franklin Cale and Nathan Paulse to try and push for the goal, but the goal nearly came in their own net as Jabulani Shongwe forced a sharp save from Williams.

The young keeper was again called into action with 20 minutes remaining as Laffor drilled a shot that looked destined for the goal.

An equaliser nearly came on 80 minutes when Mor Diouf reacted quickly to get his head on the end of a cross, but the direction was lacking as Sandilands breathed a sigh of relief.

A last-gasp effort in injury time nearly came to fruition for SuperSport, but Diouf’s thunderous shot came crashing off the bar as they were forced to take the defeat.

SuperSport United: Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Lucas Thwala, Mor Diouf, Thabo September, Edwin Gyimah, Moffat Mdluli (Franklin Cale 47), Sameegh Doutie (Mabhuti Khenyeza 81), Ashley Hartog, Sibusiso Zuma, Thabiso Nkoana (Nathan Paulse 50).

Subs: Rowen Fernandez, Bevan Fransman, George Maluleka, Jabulani Maluleka.

Mamelodi Sundowns: Wayne Sandilands, Abel Mabaso, Clayton Daniels, Doctor Mampuru, Tebogo Langerman (Punch Masenamela 75), Anthony Laffor (Nyasha Mushekwi 85), Elias Pelembe, Esrom Nyandoro (Surprise Moriri 76), Jabulani Shongwe, Teko Modise, Eleazar Rodgers.

Subs: Calvin Marlin, Wayne Arendse, Hlompho Kekana, Edward Manqele

Goals: Eleazar Rodgers (Sundowns 18)