Mamelodi Sundowns are the 2021 MTN8 champions after beating Cape Town City 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, after the match had ended 1-1.
In the end it was decided in a shootout, where Denis Onyango saved five shots, as Sundowns won the super eight competition for the first time in fourteen years, and the first since MTN were sponsors.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Cape Town City AET
Lyle Lakay’s free kick in the opening minute was on target, but it was down the throat of City goalkeeper Hugo Marques, who saved comfortably.
Marques was back in the action in the 6th minute, as he saved Rivaldo Coetzee’s powerful long range effort. a minute later Mdu Mdantsane had a good chance for City after being set up by Fagrie Lakay, but Mdantsane’s shot was off target.
It was a good competitive start to the game, as the finalists sized each other up, looking for ways to exploit each other’s weaknesses.
Thapelo Morena made it 1-0 to Sundowns in the 24th minute, after good work by Thabiso Kutumela down the right. Having shown commitment to win the ball on the flank, Kutumela dribbled into the box, showed good composure before laying it on for an advancing Morena.
Two minutes later City went close through Craig Martin, but Denis Onyango denied the City man at his feet, and following up Mdantsane headed over. Marques saved Kutumela’s attempt from a free kick in the 39th minute, while Thami Mkhize’s effort two minutes later flew over Onyango’s goal.
Sundowns led 1-0 at the break, in a half where they had slightly more possession, and five shots at goal to City’s four.
City had a chance in the 49th minute, but Nathan Fasika could only get a knee to a ball into the box from a free kick, and it went wide. Morena’s attempt from just inside the box two minutes later was blazed over. Kermit Erasmus, who came on the break had a chance in the 55th minute, but it had the same result.
Onyango pulled off a good save to deny Surprise Ralani in the 56th minute, as did Marques moments later at the other end, as Coetzee fired a rocket on target. Themba Zwane’s effort in the 59th minute struck the outside of the upright.
Ralani went close in the 65th minute, but his poke to a good cross from Fagrie Lakay, was just off target, while a minute later Zwane was off target as the action continue to swing from end-to-end. Morena should have made it 2-0 moments later, but Marques pulled off a save when one-on-one with the Sundowns player.
Onyango made light work to save Fagrie Lakay’s shot in the 68th minute, who had another half chance a minute later, but this time it was always off target. Marques was back in the action in the 72nd minute, making another good stop, this time to deny Erasmus.
It was 1-1 in the 74th minute, Ralani playing a neat through ball to Fagrie Lakay, who fired in a good powerful low shot to beat Onyango.
Ralani’s effort in the 84th minute was deflected wide, while a dangerous free kick, awarded in stoppage time, was just over from Lyle Lakay.
1-1 at the end of regulation time, extra time was needed.
The tempo dropped in extra time, and there were no real goal scoring opportunities in the first fifteen minute half.
City were reduced to ten men a minute into the second half, as Nathan Fasika picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Sphelele Mkhulise.
But Sundowns weren’t able to take advantage of being a man up in the remaining minutes, City were able to manage the half, and at the end of 120 minutes the match went to penalties.
After the shootout, a number of City players, including Fagrie Lakay and reportedly Mpho Makola were shown red cards, for protesting that Onyango was off his line for the final save of the shootout.
Here is how they lined up for the game::
Cape Town City XI: Hugo Marques, Thami Mkhize [c], Taariq Fielies, Nathan Fasika, Edmilson Dove, Thato Mokeke (Relebogile Mokhuouane 96′), Thabo Nodada (Abdul Ajagun 62’), Mdu Mdantsane (Mpho Makola 69′), Surprise Ralani (Khanyisa Mayo 105′), Fagrie Lakay, Craig Martin (Terrence Mashego 69′).
Mamelodi Sundowns XI: Denis Onyango [c], Mosa Lebusa, Khuliso Mudau (Neo Maema 84′), Lyle Lakay (Haashim Domingo 114′), Rivaldo Coetzee (Sibusiso Vilakazi 114′), Thapelo Morena (Aubrey Modiba 90′), Grant Kekana, Andile Jali, Thabiso Kutumela (Kermit Erasmus 46’), Themba Zwane (Sphelele Mkhulise 90′), Peter Shalulile.
Referee: Thando Ndzandzeka
