Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes retaining the Nedbank Cup will redeem the club’s disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League after being eliminated by Angola’s Petro Luanda in the quarter-finals last month.
Masandawana defeated Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium to complete another domestic treble after clinching the MTN8 and the DStv Premiership this season.
Goals from Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile were enough to secure Mamelodi Sundowns’ sixth Nedbank Cup final title. Shalulile’s goal was cancelled out by Junior Dion, but Morena slammed the winner in the 119th-minute to clinch the title, ensuring they snared their second domestic treble in three seasons.
It was their sixth Nedbank Cup title, but they had to sweat for it as Gallants took the game to them. “Getting out of Champions League was not nice, but these boys made sure we get a clean sweep [winning the Nedbank Cup], and we must appreciate it. I’m very happy for them [players] for bringing this home to make sure that we at least salvage a bit of pride,” said Mngqithi.
“This is one match I still want to go back and watch because the level of competition was very good. The intensity was very good in both teams; we pushed them, they pushed us [very hard].” However, the former Golden Arrows coach was left disappointed as his charges failed to convert the chances that could have won them the game earlier.
“We should have killed the game in the first half, we created good opportunities from our high press, but unfortunately, [Thabiso] Kutumela could not take one and [Gaston] Sirino could not take two. The game spiralled to something we don’t want to see,” he added.
