Mamelodi Sundowns versus Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final: there's probably no better way to end the season. It's number one versus number two, locking horns for the second time in a knockout competition final this season. It's got the potential to be a classic if players from both sides come to the party on the day. Sundowns have a score to settle after losing out in the MTN8 final to Pirates earlier this season, but the Buccaneers are determined to defend their title and end the campaign with two trophies in the cabinet, just as they did last term. There are a lot of talking points going into this much-anticipated final, set to be played at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. Soccer Laduma got hold of Katlego Mashego, who played for both sides, to get his opinion on what could sway what could turn out to be the most exciting match of the campaign, if both sides rise to the occasion.
Cup Finals Have Their Own Heartbeat
Tshepang Mailwane: Going into the Nedbank Cup final, and looking at the season both teams have had, which coach do you think needs the title the most?
Katlego Mashego: I would probably think Orlando Pirates want it more because they lost the league race by a big margin. Sundowns also want to finish on a high considering they lost their first game in the league last weekend. That invincible tag is gone now, so they would want to redeem themselves and close the season on a high. But I would think Pirates want to go there and compete, so that they can have two trophies. I think Pirates want it more and they would want to defend their cup. It's a game that would mean a lot for both coaches if they won it.
TM: Do you think Pirates have a psychological edge going into this one because they beat Sundowns in the MTN8 final earlier this season?
KM: I would think so. Also, the games that they played against Sundowns this season were tightly contested. Remember, they played to a 1-1 draw in their last league meeting. I would think Pirates have a bit of an edge, but cup finals always have a different atmosphere. History tells us that cup finals have their own heartbeat and form does not count much. You look at Manchester City losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Bayer Leverkusen losing (to Atalanta in the Europa League final). Cup finals are a bit tricky. We anticipate a good game as these are two good teams that deserve to be in the final. It's going to be a nice game. I think the team that settles quicker, especially in midfield, stands a good chance of winning it.
TM: How much of a threat do you think Tshegofatso Mabasa will be against Sundowns, considering the form he has been in, in the second half of the season?
KM: He is a goalscorer. He likes scoring goals and that's good for Pirates because now they have a focal point. They have someone who can finish in the box. They have a box striker, and I think Sundowns should be cautious. They should not allow chances against them. It's going to be a bit tricky for Sundowns. I hope Pirates will not sit back and rely on the counterattack. Mabasa is not one of those players who breaks well and plays on the counter. He is a box player, and balls need to be delivered into the box for him to have a chance. I would think Pirates will be aware of that, and Mabasa can help them if they play more in the box.
TM: How do Sundowns stop a striker like Mabasa?
KM: I think they should minimise the supply to him. That means they need to keep an eye on (Relebohile) Mofokeng and (Patrick) Maswanganyi. Those two are key to supplying Mabasa. If Sundowns can cope with that, they stand a good chance of stopping Mabasa and winning the game because he relies more on his teammates to set him up. He is not someone who is going to dribble five people and score. He is a box player, so the supply to him has to be minimized.
TM: Speaking of Mofokeng, how important is it for him to perform well?
KM: For sure. He is probably looking forward to the game. It's the type of game that, if he wins it for Pirates, he will be remembered for a long time. I think he knows it. It's a big cup final, and it's the one many are anticipating. I would think he would want to go there and show that he is a good player. We all know that he is a good player, but he has to deliver in these big games for him to be remembered and to be seen as a superstar.
TM: What makes him special?
KM: He has different things, and he comes up with goals now and again. He has good technique. He knows the space and can use the ball very well. He is the type of player we have not seen in a long time. The last time we had players like him was when we had Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) and Siphiwe Tshabalala, those types of players who play on the wing and are able to score goals. I think he is a special player.
TM: You mentioned Maswanganyi…how big do you think he will be for Pirates in this final?
KM: He is the same as Mofokeng. He is a tricky player and very creative. They should not give him space or time to think on the ball because he has a pass and can unlock the defence. They should minimise the space around him and let him play facing his own goals. If you let him turn, and he starts dictating the game, and you let the crowds get on his side, then it's going to be a bit of a problem. But I am sure Sundowns will come up with something to stop him.
TM: Are you surprised to see how quickly Thalente Mbatha has settled in at Pirates since his loan move from SuperSport United in January?
KM: Not really. He is a player with legs. He runs and presses well, and he has a good pass as well. It's not surprising how he has been able to settle in. He was signed by a big team like Orlando Pirates, so I am sure they would have scouted him and seen what he can do. Maybe it's also his character that made him settle in so quickly. It's very rare for players to settle in so quickly. He is a good player and deserves all the credit that is coming his way. He is a player who could have an impact in this game.
TM: Speaking of impact, Sundowns have Ronwen Williams who just loves saving penalties. If the game were to go to a shootout, how intimidating can he be for Pirates players?
KM: I am sure Pirates would want to settle this game in the 90 minutes. With Ronwen's pedigree and what he has achieved this season, I am sure Pirates would want to avoid penalties at all costs and try to finish the game in 90 minutes. But penalties are a lottery, and you never know what will happen. They might score all five of them. It's not something they should be thinking negatively about.
TM: You played against Williams during your playing days, so what is he like in terms of commanding his box?
KM: I never took a penalty against him, but I've scored against him. He is a very good goalkeeper, and he organises well. He is at Sundowns now where the level is a bit higher. He is very important for Sundowns, as well as the national team. He helps Sundowns to play from the back and he is vocal.
TM: Let's talk about Peter Shalulile. He has not had the best of seasons, but he surely remains a threat to the opposition…
KM: He will always be a threat. When Shalulile plays, you are guaranteed to get something from him. Whether he presses or he sets up his teammates, he is very important. And don't forget that he scores as well. He may not have the best of seasons, but he has scored in his last few games. He is in good form, and you are guaranteed that when he plays, he will give you something. He is very important to the team, and I think that he will want to score in the cup final.
TM: Shalulile was left out of Sundowns' final league match of the season as he is at risk of suspension for the final. surely shows how important he is for Sundowns going into this final?
KM: Yes, which is fair, and it that they were looking forward more the final than the final game of the season because the league title was already wrapped up. I think their preparations were for the final. I am sure Sundowns have put that defeat to Cape Town behind them and they are focused on winning the Nedbank Cup.
TM: There's also the timely return injury of Teboho Mokoena.
KM: Yes, I think they missed him he was out. Now he is back, and I am he is raring to go in this final. I am that he aims of performing as well did before getting injured and like did when he was playing for the national team. When he plays, Sundowns look different, and they seem like a team is unstoppable.
TM: Lastly, what's your prediction?
KM: I am not good with predictions.
They're two equally good teams and deserve to be in the final. I feel it's to be a cagey game. I think it will be those games that's 1-0 or 2-1, but I be lying if I said I know who is going win it.
What If It Goes To Penalties?
Cup finals always have the potential of going to a penalty shootout and, should the Nedbank Cup need spot kicks to decide the winner, both sides have goalkeepers who have the potential to be match-winners. Earlier in the season, Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was the hero in the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, saving three penalties to inspire the Buccaneers to the title. On the other hand, Ronwen Williams has been a sensation for both Bafana Bafana and Sundowns when it comes to saving penalties over the last few months. John Tlale, a man who played as a goalkeeper for both clubs during his playing days, spoke to Soccer Laduma about the impact both Williams and Chaine could have in this final should it go all the way to penalties.
On who has the upper hand should it go to penalties
"Williams has proved himself when it comes to saving penalties because he has done it so many times. If you were to compare him to Chaine, I've seen Chaine doing it once (in the MTN8 final), so I think Williams would have the upper hand because he has the confidence at the moment. He just saved another penalty recently and has shown that he can save the team when they need him, so I think he has the upper hand."
On goalkeepers using video analysis to study penalty takers
"It's important to watch videos of how your opponents take penalties. It helps, but sometimes it can work against you. There are players who don't always go to the same side when they kick their penalties. They can change their minds, so it's still a gamble where it's possible that the goalkeeper might not save anything."
On the possible impact of both goalkeepers in the final
"I don't think this game is going to be goalless in the 90 minutes, but I know both goalkeepers will be on top of their game, and they could actually prove to be match winners, because of the quality they have when it comes to making good saves. They are both motivated. Goalkeepers have the potential to be matchwinners. You just need to look at how Chaine won Pirates the MTN8 title. He was the matchwinner; hence he was the Man of the Match on the day. You look at how Ronwen has saved Sundowns. These guys are the last line of defence, and they can have a huge impact on the game. The one who is more confident and focused on the day is the one who could prove to be the match-winner for his team."
A neutral's prediction…
Sundowns want this one
Masilo Machaka – Kaizer Chiefs supporter
"I know that Pirates are the defending champions and they have been doing well, but I think Sundowns want this one. Looking at the squad that Sundowns has, they can have a serious go at this one. I know that Pirates also have players who can change a game and they know how to win trophies. But I think Sundowns will be the ones who are going to win this trophy. I will be in Mbombela to witness this game. Both teams play good football, and everyone would want to be at the stadium to watch this game, especially because it's a final. It won't be a walk in the park for Sundowns, but I think they will be able to win it."
