Result: Maritzburg United 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 14 December 2019
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns continue to add to their trophy cabinet after rallying from behind to be crowned Telkom Knockout champions on Saturday evening.
The Brazilians brought back the big guns after being rested in midweek, as only Themba Zwane, Sphelele Mkhulise and Motjeka Madisha kept their places in the starting line-up, as the likes of goalkeeper Denis Onyango, Gaston Sirino, Tebogo Langerman and Hlompho Kekana returning.
Meanwhile, the Team of Choice also had wholesale changes from their last outing, as shot-stopper Richard Ofori, Kwanda Mngonyama, Daylon Claasen and Mxolisi Kunene were among those returning in the starting team.
Eric Tinkler's charges almost got off a dream start in the second minute after Judas Moseamedi's pressure on Mosa Lebusa and Onyango led to them colliding with each other in the box, but Daylon Claasen could not capitalise with the net gaping.
After weathering United's early storm, Pitso Mosimane's troops started getting into their passing rhythm after the half-hour mark, looking to turn the Maritzburg defence and they had a big penalty appeal after Mngonyama appeared to have brought down Lebusa inside the box but the referee was not persuaded.
Six minutes before the break, Maritzburg finally broke the deadlock after Moseamedi chased a long ball from the defence and got in between Lebusa and Onyango again to flick to poke the ball into an empty net.
Sundowns came out fired up from the break and they eventually levelled matters nine minutes into the second stanza thanks to a towering header by Mauricio Affonso towards the gaping net after Ofori went out of his goal and missed Sirino's floated cross at the far post.
Affonso came close to grabbing his Masandawana in the 65th minute after he was picked out by Thapelo Morena on the near side of the box but his header missed the near post just wide.
The lanky Uruguayan finally gave Mosimane's men the lead with 16 minutes remaining after nodding home a corner from Sirino to complete his brace.
There was drama in the end as Moseamedi found the back of the net with a header at the near post in second-half stoppage time but the goal was disallowed for offside as Sundowns held on to win the Telkom Knockout title.
Maritzburg: 31. Ofori, 5. Morgan, 36. Kunene, 45. Mngonyama, 23. De Reuck, 4. Allie, 8. Buchanan, 14. Claasen, 26. Shandu, 15. Timm, 20. Moseamedi.
Subs: 30. Mpandle, 3. Sanoka, 11. Jappie, 29. Mekoa, 13. Lea'alafa, 7. Kutumela, 17. Augusto.
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 4. Langerman, 27. Morena, 2. Madisha, 15. Jali, 8. Kekana, 5. Lebusa, 18. Zwane, 21. Mkhulise, 10. Sirino, 9. Affonso.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 6. Arendse, 7. Lakay, 16. Ngcongca, 26. Makgalwa, 13. Mabunda, 11. Vilakazi.
