Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned Carling Black Label Cup champions after thrashing ten-man Orlando Pirates 4-0 in the final on Saturday evening.
Carling Black Label Cup Final
Result: Orlando Pirates 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 12 November 2022
Venue: FNB Stadium
Sundowns made wholesale changes as Haashim Domingo and Bradley Ralani were rewarded for their goals off the bench against AmaZulu with starts while goalkeeper Denis Onyango was recalled. Pirates, meanwhile, also handed starts to Vincent Pule, Deon Hotto, Kabelo Dlamini and Bienvenu Eva Nga.
The Brazilians had a bright start, as they opened up the Pirates defence with some impressive combination play but their momentum was halted on 13 minutes after Ralani pulled his hamstring and was replaced by Lesedi Kapinga.
Sundowns had another injury casualty six minutes later after Domingo was stretchered off following a lunging tackle by Tapelo Xoki, who was shown a red card as a result.
Rulani Mokwena's charges ahead a couple of minutes later after Sphelele Mkhulise lifted a shot past the hands of goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane after a ball over the defence by Lebohang Maboe.
Rulani Mokwena's charges continued to capitalise on their numerical advantage, as Grant Kekana doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark with a tap-in from a square pass in the box.
With Jose Riveiro's troops still shell-shocked, Cassius Mailula quickly made it 3-0 for Masandawana moments later with a toe-poke from close range after another swift attack caught Pirates square from the left wing.
Sundowns were dominant on the ball coming after the break and created chances while Pirates absorbed the pressure but they lacked an outlet going forward.
Riveiro eventually introduced Monnapule Saleng in place Eva Nga shortly before the hour-mark and the Buccaneers started to look a little threatening on counter-attacks.
However, Masandawana were just too forceful, as Mailula made it 4-0 on 66 minutes with a low curler from the edge of the box that took a deflection off Paseka Mako as he completed his brace/
Mokwena made a tactical change in the last 20 minutes as Andile Jali replaced Kekana and the Brazilians rotated the ball even more effectively, as they maintained the intensity of the game.
Ntando Nkosi had a chance to get a fifth goal for Sundowns in the dying minutes after going through on goal but he blasted his shot down the throat of Mpontshane, as the Brazilians were crowned champions with an emphatic win.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: D.Onyango, Morena, Modiba, Mvala, Kekana, Mbule, Mokoena, Maboe, Mkhulise, Ralani, Domingo
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Makhubela, Xoki, Mthethwa, Mako, Pule, Motshwari, Timm, Hotto, Dlamini, Eva Nga
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