Lerato's classy R6m strike

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1

Chabangu 88

Mpumalanga Black Aces 0

Lerato Chabangu's touch of class on Saturday broke Mpumalanga Black Aces' hearts and handed Mamelodi Sundowns a Nedbank Cup triumph they barely deserved.

For most of the 90 minutes here, Kenny Ndlazi's First Division Inland Stream Aces more than matched the so-called mighty Brazilians. A shock of colossal proportions was on the cards as the encounter headed for extra time.

A cruel twist of fate, however, was to end the dream. Lerato Chabangu had been pretty awful for Sundowns, much of his set-piece delivery pathetic. But when it mattered Chabangu showed Premier League class in slamming a volley past Michael Babale, to make the mega-rich some R6-million richer.

The goal was the first Aces' fantastic defence had conceded in 448 minutes of Nedbank Cup football in 2008. It was harsh on the likes of Babale, Thabang Rooi and Gordon Gilbert, who had performed superbly in repelling Sundowns for the entire match.

Aces, indeed, may have already led, Edelbert Dinha missing a glorious chance in the first half.

As it was, however, Sundowns add the Nedbank Cup to the SAA Supa8 won right at the start of the season. Moloto, meanwhile, must wait and see if this trophy is enough for chairman Patrice Motsepe to retain his services.

The organisers did well to fill the stadium yesterday, with a near capacity crowd huddled together on a chilly afternoon. The sponsors also rather spoilt matters by dressing many fans in green T-shirts.

There were only smatterings, in fact, of Sundowns yellow and Black Aces white, while the "clutching at straws award" goes to the two supporters spotted waving Orlando Pirates flags.

Whether Sundowns were put off by the bizarre colouring, or the expectation that they would waltz to victory, they were abysmal in the first half. Peter Ndlovu is just not a target man. He was overpowered in the air by Rooi and Lucas Thomelang in the Aces defence. And when Sundowns did manage to get the ball wide, with Surprise Moriri playing far too deep, there was no one getting into the box to support Zimbabwean Ndlovu.

The only time Sundowns truly threatened in the opening period was through a mistake from Aces 'keeper Michael Babale, who got nowhere near Chabangu's free kick, but Gilbert cleared from under his crossbar.

Aces, meanwhile, initially suffered going forward from a tendency to simply lump balls at Kabamba Musasa's head.

Rooi though, was also causing Sundowns some problems with his long throw ins, and one found its way to Dinha at the back post. But the former Orlando Pirates midfielder shot too close to Brian Baloyi, who blocked well. From the resultant corner, Mbatha crossed for Musasa to head just wide.

Aces then weathered a second half storm of attacks form Sundowns, and seemed set to force the game into extra time. Chabangu, however, had other ideas.

Game stats

Teams

Sundowns (4-4-1-1): Baloyi; Mere, Manzini, Johannes, Lekgothoane; Dladla, Nyandoro, Acuna (Carelse 57), Chabangu (Ntwagae 90); Moriri; Ndlovu

Aces (4-4-1-1): Babale; F Musasa , Rooi, Thlomelang, Gilbert; Mbatha (Emenike 37), Dinha, Mtsweni, Machaka (Mongale 78); Masondo; K Musasa

Referee: Jerome Damon

Assistants: Enock Molefe, Isaac Arendse

Yellow cards: F Musasa 26, Nyandoro 28, Machaka 64