Orlando Pirates have successfully defended their Nedbank Cup title with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Following the loss to Cape Town City last weekend, Masandawana welcomed back Grant Kekana, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Aubrey Modiba, Marcelo Allende, and Lucas Ribeiro Costa, whereas Tshegofatso Mabasa started on the bench for Pirates with Evidence Makgopa preferred.
Sundowns were given a spot-kick in the opening ten minutes after Khuliso Mudau succumbed to a challenge by Deon Hotto, but Ribeiro couldn't profit as Sipho Chaine produced a save.
The Buccaneers dusted themselves off after the slow start and got a chance to go ahead through a first-time effort from a tight angle by Patrick Maswanganyi, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams narrowed the angle.
Williams made himself big again inside the midway point where he pulled off a point-blank save and denied Hotto profiting from the near side of the area.
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The match remained energised on all fronts, with both teams eager to go on the front-foot and take full before an over-head kick from Makgopa sailed well over.
Masandawana turned focus to the substitutes bench ahead of the second half and decided to throw on Junior Mendieta in favour of Kekana.
Sundowns did go ahead ten minutes from halftime after Ribeiro tossed and turned Innocent Maela on the near side to play in a cross for Themba Zwane to tap in an empty net.
Although, after going behind – Pirates didn't lose hope as Patrick Maswanganyi won a penalty from a foul by Modiba and stepped up to bring matters level with 20 minutes to go.
Substitute Mabasa came close to adding to the tally seven minutes later through a clever shot following decent hold-up play, but Williams pulled a save.
Pirates stole the show in added time as youngster Relebohile Mofokeng, who came on as a substitute cut inside of Bongani Zungu and fired in the far corner.
It proved to be the last piece of action as the final whistle went to see the Buccaneers successfully defend the Nedbank Cup.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Lebusa, Kekana, Zungu, Mokoena, Aubaas, Modiba, Allende, Zwane, Ribeiro
Subs: D.Onyango, Lunga, Morena, Mkhulise, Mbule, Mendieta, Maema, Esquivel, Matthews
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Ndah, Maela, Sesane, Makhaula, Hotto, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Monyane, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Lepasa, Dlamini, Baloni, Lebitso, Mofokeng, Mthethwa
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