Nedbank Cup Final
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 12 September 2020
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns picked up their third trophy for the 2019/2020 season after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday night.
Click through the gallery above to see Sundowns in their new kit.
Sundowns were boosted by the return from injury of goalkeeper Denis Onyango while Celtic brought back their regulars, that included striker Ndumiso Mabena, Lantshene Phalane and in-form Sifiso Ngobeni.
Siwelele had a penalty appeal in the eighth minute after Victor Letsoalo burst clear on goal inside the box and fell after a challenge by Gason Sirino but the referee was not persuaded, just minutes before Themba Zwane squandered a big chance at the other end.
Zwane was presented with another chance to break the deadlock for the Brazilians on the half-hour mark after going through on goal from Lebohang Maboe's pass but his shot was saved by shot-stopper Sipho Chaine from point-blank range.
Pitso Mosimane's charges were gaining momentum and had another opportunity six minutes before the break after Sirino beat the offside the trap to go clear on goal inside the box but his attempted cut-back to the lurking Zwane was intercepted by Chaine while Letsoalo saw his header tipped over the bar by Onyango at the other end.
Sundowns were under pressure in the early exchanges of the second stanza but Sirino was unlucky not to break the deadlock just before the hour-mark with a curling shot inside the box that came off the inside of the upright.
Celtic were dropping deep in the closing stages and they were punished in the last ten minutes after Sirino finally made it 1-0 for the Brazilians with a low curling strike into the bottom corner.
Andile Fikizolo had a glorious chance to level matters for Siwelele in the last two minutes after latching onto a loose ball unmarked at the far post but his close-range shot was crucially saved by Onyango.
John Maduka's troops were desperate to force the match to extra-time with the equaliser in the dying minutes but Wandisile Letlabika volleyed over the crossbar in added time as Sundowns held on to clinch the cup to go along with Absa Premiership and Telkom Knockout this season.
Here's how they lined up:
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 13. Letsoalo, 3. Mahashe, 13. Luthuli, 35. Baloyi, 25. Chabalala, 5. Letlabika, 34. Fikizolo, 8. Phalane, 10. Mabena, 26. Ngobeni
Subs: 16. Mabokgwane, 18. Mashikinya, 24. Lingwati, 12. Maema, 11. Potsane, 9. Sera, 7. Maloisane, 50. Masuku, 19. Matjila
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 16. Ngcongca, 7. Lakay, 3. Nascimento, 2. Madisha, 40. Coetzee, 21. Mkhulise, 8. Kekana, 10. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 33. Maboe.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 26. Makgalwa, 36. Mkhuma, 13. Mabunda, 6. Arendse, 15. Jali, 23. Meza, 4. Langerman, 27. Morena.
