Nedbank Cup Final
Result: SuperSport United 4-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 24 June 2017
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
SuperSport United were crowned Nedbank Cup champions for the second straight season, after they thrashed Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The game got off to a lively start, with both sides playing at a high tempo although chances were hard to come by.
After 17 minutes, the encounter's first chance fell to SuperSport as Aubrey Modiba picked out Bradley Grobler, who poked his effort just wide of the upright.
Pirates, meanwhile, carved out their first chance after 28 minutes when Thabo Rakhale's cross found Dove Wome in the box, but the midfielder headed wide of the upright.
SuperSport were eventually rewarded for their dominance in the 33rd minute when an alert Grobler turned home Grant Kekana's cross-cum-shot in the six-yard box.
The Buccaneers could have leveled matters after 40 minutes when Wome got behind the SuperSport defence, however SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was on hand to make the stop to deny the midfielder from close range.
SuperSport ended the first half the stronger of the two sides, as they went into the break with the one-goal advantage.
Six minutes after the break, SuperSport were awarded a penalty when Happy Jele was adjudged to have brought down Thuso Phala. Jeremy Brockie stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Kjell Jonevret responded by introducing Bernard Morrison for Wome in the 68th minute, as they pushed for an equaliser.
However, SuperSport doubled their lead three minutes later as Brockie made up for his missed penalty by heading home Grobler's cross.
Stuart Baxter's charges grabbed a third goal in the 63rd minute as Phala did well to skip past Patrick Phungwayo before firing a deflected cross into the box, where Grobler was on hand slot home, 3-0.
Tendai Ndoro was introduced for the final 15 minutes, as the Buccaneers looked to salvage some pride in the closing stages.
Kingston Nkhatha replaced Grobler in the 78th minute, and he managed to get his name on the score-sheet three minutes later with a composed finish from 12-yards out, 4-0.
Pirates were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which Oupa Manyisa converted. However, it was nothing more than a consolation as SuperSport ran out 4-1 winners.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 29. Gould, 4. Daniels, 16. Modiba, 13. Phala, 8. Furman, 6. Letsholonyane, 23. Mnyamane, 7. Grobler (Nkhatha 76'), 11. Brockie (Morton 86').
Pirates: 40. Mpontshane, 45. Mobara, 4. Jele, 8. Matlaba, 21. Phungwayo, 18. Sarr, 20. Manyisa, 25. Rakhale, 5. Makola (Memela 68'), 35. Wome (Morrison 58'), 31. Gabuza (Ndoro 74').
