Young sensation Relebohile Mofokeng scored a last minute winner as Orlando Pirates defended their Nedbank Cup title after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers goals were scored by Patrick Maswanganyi and Mofokeng as they came from behind to clinch victory against Masandawana who had taken a lead through Themba Zwane.
Sundowns started the game on the front foot and could have taken the lead as early as the second minutes but Thabiso Monyane was switched on as he pulled off a great block to deny Aubrey Modiba, who find himself unmarked inside the penalty area.
Then, Sundowns was awarded a penalty with only seven minutes gone after Deon Hotto was deemed to have fouled Khuliso Mudau inside the box, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine denied Lucas Ribeiro to keep the score level and it remained 0-0 at halftime.
Pirates’ first real chance came in the 17th minute following a turnover of possession inside Sundowns territory. Patrick Maswanganyi was on the end of the resultant attack, but could not find a way past Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns opened the scoring nine minutes into the second half after Ribeiro found space behind Pirates defence before setting up Themba Zwane, who made it 1-0 with an easy finish.
Sundowns seemed to be in control of the game until Pirates were awarded a contentious penalty in the 71st-minute after a foul on Maswanganyi, who dusted himself before sending Ronwen Williams the wrong way.
The game appeared to be heading into extra-time as we entered the last minute of the four added minutes. However, substitute Mofokeng had other ideas as he received the ball inside the box, dribbled past Bongani Zungu before he toe poked the ball past Williams to put Pirates 2-1 in the lead.
Sundowns hardly got a chance to restart the game as the referee blow the final whistle just moments later sending the Buccaneers wild.
Written by: Diski Voice
