Orlando Pirates have secured back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles after coming from behind to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Nedbank Cup Final
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 01 June 2024
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Pirates surprisingly reserved Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng in favor of Evidence Makgopa and Innocent Maela.
Sundowns, on the other hand, recalled most of their regulars who were reserved in a narrow loss against Cape Town, as the likes of Teboho Mokoena, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Marcelo Allende were recalled.
The Brazilians had a bright start as in the first few minutes Modiba had a big chance in the six-yard box with a shot that was blocked by Thabiso Monyane.
Rulani Mokwena's charges had a penalty with only ten minutes on the clock after Khuliso Mudau was pushed down in the box.
However, goalkeeper Sipho Chaine kept the Buccaneers in the game after a brilliant stop with his outstretched leg that denied Costa Sundowns' opener.
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The Soweto giants came to life going forward after that as midway into the first stanza Hotto almost broke the deadlock with a shot at the near post that was parried away by shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.
However, the pace of the game slowed down towards the end of the first stanza with a few stoppages and the sides went to the break deadlocked.
Mokwena made a tactical and attacking change at half-time as Junior Mendieta replaced Grant Kekana.
The tactical tweak by the Brazilians paid dividends ten minutes later with more attacking players upfront as Themba Zwane broke the deadlock with a tap-in from a cut-back by Costa.
Pirates were fired up and Patrick Maswanganyi eventually levelled matters 20 minutes before time with a well taken spot-kick away from Williams after he was brought down in the box.
Jose Riveiro also made a tactical and attacking change just after that as Mofokeng replaced Maela to add spark going forward.
The game opened up from end to end after that and Mofokeng made a big impact after snatching the winner for the Buccaneers in stoppage time with a toe-poke in the box after some neat footwork in the box.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 5. Lebusa, 20. Kekana, 8. Zungu, 4. Mokoena, 19. Aubaas, 17. Modiba, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro
Subs: 1. D.Onyango, 43. Lunga, 27. Morena, 21. Mkhulise, 24. Mbule, 15. Mendieta, 35. Maema, 9. Esquivel, 70. Matthews
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 49. Ndah, 23. Maela, 36. Sesane, 16. Makhaula, 7. Hotto, 41. Mbatha, 28. Maswanganyi, 14. Saleng, 2. Monyane, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 5. Sibisi, 9. Lepasa, 18. Dlamini, 30. Baloni, 37. Lebitso, 38. 39/ Mofokeng, 39. Mthethwa
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