The Absa Premiership Champions, Mamelodi Sundowns clinched the treble this season after defeating Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup final at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
Sundowns were boosted by the return from injury of goalkeeper Denis Onyango while Celtic brought back their regulars, that included striker Ndumiso Mabena, Lantshene Phalane and in-form Sifiso Ngobeni.
Siwelele had a penalty appeal in the eighth minute after Victor Letsoalo burst clear on goal inside the box and fell after a challenge by Gason Sirino but the referee was not persuaded, just minutes before Themba Zwane squandered a big chance at the other end.
Sundowns were under pressure in the early exchanges of the second stanza but Sirino was unlucky not to break the deadlock just before the hour-mark with a curling shot inside the box that came off the inside of the upright.
Celtic were dropping deep in the closing stages and they were punished in the last ten minutes after Sirino finally made it 1-0 for the Brazilians with a low curling strike into the bottom corner.
Andile Fikizolo had a glorious chance to level matters for Siwelele in the last two minutes after latching onto a loose ball unmarked at the far post but his close-range shot was crucially saved by Onyango.
John Maduka’s troops were desperate to force the match to extra-time with the equaliser in the dying minutes but Wandisile Letlabika volleyed over the crossbar in added time as Sundowns held on to clinch the cup to go along with Absa Premiership and Telkom Knockout this season.
A point-blank save from Onyango in the last five minutes denied Andile Fikizolo, with Wandisile Letlabika hoofing over from a corner late on, leaving Masandawana to complete the 2019/2020 treble.
@Masandawana we are the Champions #KBY WELLDONE YELLOW NATION. HALALA PURE DOMINANCE pic.twitter.com/4kV6JR230P
— King David (@DavidMashabela) September 12, 2020
What a goal! What a celebration! 😂
Has Gaston Sirino scored the goal that completes a remarkable treble for Sundowns?
Watch live: https://t.co/RYwm9aZlb5#SSDiski | #NedbankCupFinal pic.twitter.com/Skp1l1aclo
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2020
What a way to end off an unforgettable season, Nedbank Cup 2020 WINNERS!🙌
The moment we’ve all been waiting for…. our TREBLE! 🏆🏆🏆#Sundowns #DownsLive #NedbankCup2020 pic.twitter.com/PqCVmCQLHm
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) September 12, 2020
Mamelodi Sundowns add a 20th trophy to their cabinet in the PSL era, drawing level with Kaizer Chiefs.
⚠️ Flash photography 📸 pic.twitter.com/3UveJO8uSe
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2020
Here’s how they lined up:
Celtic: 31. Chaine, 13. Letsoalo, 3. Mahashe, 13. Luthuli, 35. Baloyi, 25. Chabalala, 5. Letlabika, 34. Fikizolo, 8. Phalane, 10. Mabena, 26. Ngobeni
Subs: 16. Mabokgwane, 18. Mashikinya, 24. Lingwati, 12. Maema, 11. Potsane, 9. Sera, 7. Maloisane, 50. Masuku, 19. Matjila
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 16. Ngcongca, 7. Lakay, 3. Nascimento, 2. Madisha, 40. Coetzee, 21. Mkhulise, 8. Kekana, 10. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 33. Maboe.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 26. Makgalwa, 36. Mkhuma, 13. Mabunda, 6. Arendse, 15. Jali, 23. Meza, 4. Langerman, 27. Morena.
This article was previously published on Soccer Laduma
