SuperSport United edged out Orlando Pirates 3-2 on Saturday to claim their fourth Nedbank Cup trophy.
The game was off to a flying start as Matsatsantsa got a shot on target in the first few seconds after Sifiso Myeni gave the ball away cheaply, but Brighton Mhlongo made a good save. Pirates opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a terrific through-ball found Tendai Ndoro and his shot on target was parried to Luvuyo Memela who tapped in the finish. However, the scores were level again only a few minutes later as Jeremy Brockie netted the equaliser. Michael Boxall beat Thabo Matlaba with ease before crossing for Brockie to head home from close range. United took the lead for the first time in the 31st minute. Brockie's initial shot on goal was pushed away by Mhlongo, but only as far as Bradley Grobler who hammered it home on the volley. With four minutes left before the break, United surged two goals clear as Boxall followed up on Morton's blocked shot to head home for 3-1.
United took their two-goal lead into the break, but let in a second goal in the 53rd minute as the Bucs reduced the gap. A cross from the left was stroked into the back of the SuperSport goal by their own defender Clayton Daniels. Pirates took control of the game as the second half wore on, dominating possession and piling on the pressure. In the 68th minute they came close when a Matlaba cross found Myeni but his volley was straight at Williams. Williams struggled with a knee problem after a collision with Ndoro and was eventually replaced by Boalefa Pule, who made a few fantastic saves. Pirates had a great chance to level matters in the 86th minute when a cross from Matlaba picked out Gabuza, but the striker's header was off target and United held on for the historic victory.
Here's how they lined up: SuperSport: 30 Williams (Pule 77'), 3 Khumalo, 4 Daniels, 5 Boxall, 7 Grobler, 8 Furman, 11 Brockie (Nkhatha 90'), 13 Phala, 16 Wome (Kekana 87'(, 18 Morton, 27 Booysen Pirates: 16 Mhlongo, 8 Matlaba, 2 Gcaba, 5 Makola, 7 Ndoro, 11 Myeni, 18 Sarr, 25 Rakhale (Jele 46'), 33 Gyimah, 34 Nyauza (Qalinge 85'), 37 Memela (Gabuza 78')
