Nedbank Cup
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM won 6-5 on penalties)
Date: 18 April 2021
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns hopes of clinching the treble were ended after losing to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on penalties in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
After impressing from the bench against Orlando Pirates on Thursday, Lesedi Kapinga got his first start for Sundowns who also recalled goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and Ricardo Nascimento amongst others.
Kapinga looked to take his opportunity with both hands as he went close to scoring inside five minutes with a rasping strike from the edge of the area following a flowing passing move, but goalkeeper Washington Arubi saved.
Tshakhuma created their first threat from a corner-kick following the midway stage when Alfred Ndengane headed agonisingly beyond the far corner of the net.
A quiet spell right after the half-hour mark followed, however the visitors had another chance to go ahead from a looping header by Diamond Thopola but he went over the top.
Sundowns made an energetic start to the second half and were unfortunate not to go ahead from a looping attempt by Sphelele Mkhulise, but Ndengane cleared off the goal-line.
Vhadau vhadamani were under more pressure and should've trailed nine minutes following the break from a loose ball in the heart of the area, but Themba Zwane blazed over.
Tshakhuma were under more pressure in the closing stages with a header from Gaston Sirino producing sharp reflexes from Arubi inside the area.
Arubi was in the thick of things again following the latter stages as he made an outstanding one-hand save from a half-volley by substitute Sibusiso Vilakazi, as extra-time followed.
Sundowns continued to bore the frustrations of Arubi as the Zimbabwean emphatically parried Lakay's free-kick and a header from Brian Onyango to force a penalty shoot-out.
Arubi also starred in a marathon shoot-out after he saved Hlompho Kekana's penalty to allow Thembisani Nevhulamba to slot in the winning kick for a spot in the final to face Chippa United.
Here's how they started:
Sundowns: 20. Goss, 27. Morena, 37. Modiba, 28. De Reuck, 3. Nascimento, 40. Coetzee, 25. Kapinga, 10. Sirino, 38. Shalulile, 21. Mkhulise, 18. Zwane.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 41. Mvala, 6. B.Onyango, 24. Vilakazi, 12. Maluleka, 36. Mkhuma, 8.Kekana, 7. Lakay, 19. Motupa.
TTM: 36. Arubi, 32. Lukhubeni, 18. Nonyane, 27. Ndengane, 24. Thopola, 15. Theron, 3. Manaka, 23. Mnyamane, 10. Ngema, 17. Rantie, 20. Ndlondlo.
Subs: 49. Mamudzidi, 21. Molongoane, 31. Madhanaga, 50. Bereng, 8. Nevhulamba, 22. Thangwane, 25. Mphambaniso, 6. Timm, 11. Ngele.
View the 20 players who left Downs to play abroad:
