PIC: Patrick Maswanganyi holds off two Sundowns defenders

Orlando Pirates stunned Mamelodi Sundowns with a late winner as they claimed the Nedbank Cup final with a 2-1 victory at a capacity filled Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates became the first side to retain the Nedbank Cup since SuperSport United did so in 2017, ironically beating The Buccaneers in two finals in a row on that occasion.

It is also Pirates’ fourth title success since 2008, joining Sundowns on that number.

Pirates coach Jose Riveiro remains unbeaten after two seasons in the Nedbank Cup and has now lost outright just once in 20 cup matches in South African football since he arrived in the country at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. 
Sundowns had the chance to take an early lead when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Khuliso Mudau, who injured his shoulder in the process.

The Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro stepped up to take the kick from 12-yards, but he saw his effort saved to the left by Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. It was an excellent stop and proved once again that Chaine is one of the form glovemen in South Africa.
But Sundowns did take the lead on 54 minutes after some excellent work from Ribeiro on the right wing.

He beat two defenders with some silky skills to turn his opponents inside out, before laying on a perfect pass to give Themba Zwane a virtual tap-in from eight yards. For Ribeiro, the real architect, it was some consolation for missing the earlier penalty. 

Patrick Maswanganyi was handed the chance to equalise with 20 minutes to go and he made no mistake from the spot, easily beating national team goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

He moved to four goals in the 2024 Nedbank Cup and to the top of the scorers charts this season.

He got the chance after he was barged over in the box by Aubrey Modiba, who may feel hard done by as it was tough to see who had committed the foul as the players clashed.
For the second time in as many seasons, Pirates scored a Nedbank Cup final winner deep into injury-time as Relebohile Mofokeng took a brilliant touch in the box to leave Bongani Zungu for dead, and curl the ball past Williams in the Sundowns goal.

It was a superb piece of skill and finish, adding to the hype around the 19-year-old, and a worthy winner for any game.

FINAL RESULT

Saturday, June 1

Mamelodi Sundowns 1 (Zwane 54’) Orlando Pirates 2 (Maswanganyi 71’ pen, Mofokeng 90’)

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 31

Goals Scored: 92

Biggest Victory: Crystal Lake 0 Orlando Pirates 6 (February 24, Last 32)

Most Goals in a Game: 7 – NB La Masia 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (February 20, Last 32); Milford 1 Stellenbosch FC 6 (March 15, Last 16) 

GOALSCORERS

4 goals – Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
3 – Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch FC), Kabelo Dlamini (Orlando Pirates), Thembinkosi Lorch (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Anicet Oura (Stellenbosch FC), Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Tapelo Xoki (Orlando Pirates)

2 – Delano Abrahams (University of Pretoria), Pule Ekstein (AmaZulu), Bienvenu Eva Nga (Chippa United), Thulani Gumede (Richards Bay), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

1 – Emilio Abreu (Highlands Park), Mervin Boji (Stellenbosch FC), Bantu Chingi (Maritzburg United), Katlego Cwinyane (Hungry Lions), Leandro de Sousa (Pretoria Callies), Sede Dion (AmaZulu), Matias Esquivel (Mamelodi Sundowns), Taariq Fielies (AmaZulu), Justice Figuareido (Richards Bay), Kayden Francis (Chippa United), Fuad Johnson (NB La Masia), Elmo Kambindu (Chippa United), Victor Letsoalo (AmaZulu), Ghampani Lungu (SuperSport United), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphiwe Mahlangu (TS Galaxy), Makhehlene Makhaula (Orlando Pirates), Thabo Makhele (Chippa United), Tladi Makhetha (D'General), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tholo Matuludi (Polokwane City), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Lwanda Mbanjwa (Moroka Swallows), Andile Mbenyane (Chippa United), Tebogo Mohlamonyane (University of Pretoria), Lehlohonolo Mojela (TS Galaxy), Lehlohonolo Morobi (NC Professionals), Sibusiso Mthethwa (Richards Bay), Nkosibonile Mtolo (FC Ravens), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Mvelase (TS Galaxy), Samkelo Ngcungama (FC Ravens), Vuyani Ntanga (Spain FC), Samir Nurkovic (TS Galaxy), Genino Palace (Stellenbosch FC), Roscoe Pietersen (Chippa United), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Lucas Ribeiro (Mamelodi Sundowns), Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Sibanyoni (University of Pretoria), Charles Sikhosana (D'General), Andiswa Sithole (Maritzburg United), Reagan van der Ross (Maritzburg United), Tresor Yamba (Sekhukhune United), Mlungisi Zwane (TS Galaxy), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Own goals – Adam Khumalo (Crystal Lake), Solomon Letsoenyo (TS Galaxy), Morena Monaheng (Hungry Lions)