Mamelodi Sundowns have completed the domestic treble after Thapelo Morena's late winner against Marumo Gallants secured the Nedbank Cup title.
Nedbank Cup Final
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Marumo Gallants
Date: 28 May 2022
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Click through the gallery above to see the Nedbank Cup celebrations.
Sundowns made three changes to the side that edged Royal AM in a five-goal thriller on Monday, as they recalled Andile Jali, Lebohang Maboe and Brian Onyango while Themba Zwane started from the bench.
The Brazilians pressed Gallants high early on and Gaston Sirino made their intentions known with a cracking strike from outside the box that forced goalkeeper Washington Arubi into an out-stretched save.
The Tshwane giants looked to force errors with their pressure on the ball and Sirino found the back of the net in the 20th minute with a clinical strike from range but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
However, Sundowns' pressure finally paid off just after the half-hour mark as Peter Shalulile pounced on Arubi's poor clearance before skipping past one challenge to fire into the back of the net.
While Gallants failed to register a single effort on targte, Sirino had a good opportunity to double the Brazilians' lead nine minutes before the break after going through on goal at the near post but he arrrowed his shot over the target.
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Dan Malesela's charges were fired up from the half-time break as within three minutes Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo finally tested shot-stopper Kennedy Mweene with a strike from outside the box but the Zambian was equal to the task.
Gallants maintained their intensity in attack which forced Sundowns to drop deep and after being kept busy at the back, the Brazilians made a double change in the 65th minute as Zwane replaced Sirino for fresh legs in attack and Sphelele Mkhulise came on for Thabiso Kutumela in a tactical switch.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued to pin Sundowns back in their own half and got the reward 14 minutes before time with a free header from Dion a flick-on by Ndlondlo.
Shalulile also came close to sealing it for Masandawana in the dying minutes with a lob over the on-rushing Arubi in the box but his effort missed the target, as the sides went into extra-time.
Sundowns had the fresh legs of Thapelo Morena and Bradley Ralani in extra-time and they seized the momentum as in the tenth minute Lyle Lakay had a chance from a set-piece on the edge of the box but curled his effort over the crossbar.
Gallants were showing signs of fatigue in the second period of extra-time and they were reduced to ten men in the last nine minutes after Ndlondlo got a second booking for a foul on Morena.
Morena eventually snatched the winner for the Brazilians at the death with a composed finish in the box towards the bottom corner after he was setup by Zwane with a square pass.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 4. Kekana, 6. B.Onyango, 7. Lakay, 25. Mudau, 15. Jali, 33. Maboe, 32. Kutumela, 10. Sirino, 35. Maema, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 14. D.Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 14. Mvala, 27. Morena, 17. Modiba, 21. Mkhulise, 28. Ralani, 9. Safranko, 28. Zwane
Gallants: 36. Arubi, 12. Khiba, 29. Gumede, 5. Mabotja, 18. Nonyane, 6. Timm, 10. Ngema, 11. Otladisa, 50. Sibeko, 20. Ndlondlo, 21. Molangoane.
Subs: 16. Ndlovu, 3. Manaka, 19. Ravhuhali, 15. Mphambaniso, 30. Kumalo, 14. Lamola, 44. Nhlapo, 33. Dion, 32. Makudubela.
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