By Michael Madyira
Relebohile Mofokeng rose from the bench to grab a dramatic late winner to help Orlando Pirates come back from behind to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
Following a goalless first-half at the Mbombela Stadium, Themba Zwane thrust Sundowns in front nine minutes into the second half.
Patrick Maswanganyi then replied from the penalty spot to spark a comeback with 19 minutes to go before Mofokeng’s decider deep into stoppage time.
In what was the two giants’ fourth meeting of this season, Pirates prevailed to defend the Nedbank Cup and bag their 10th title.
Sundowns were playing their 58th match of the term and signed off the season on a low after losing their last Premier Soccer League game to Cape Town City seven days earlier.
Masandawana coach Rhulani Mokwena made six changes from the squad that lost to Cape Town City with the likes of Peter Shalulile, Rivaldo Coetzee and Mothobi Mvala left out.
Shalulile’s absence due to a bout of flu saw an unusual set-up by Sundowns, who had Aubrey Modiba operating just behind centre-forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
Pirates had captain Innocent Maela, Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah as the three centre-backs in the absence of the injured Tapelo Xoki while Nkosinathi Sibisi was benched.
Mokwena’s opposite number Jose Riveiro surprisingly benched attackers Tshegofatso Mabasa and Mofokeng while handing Evidence Makgopa a rare start.
Sundowns had a chance to take the lead after 10 minutes but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine saved Ribero’s penalty after Deon Hotto had obstructed Khuliso Mudau inside the box.
The Brazilians then went ahead after the restart when Zwane cooly connected with a Ribeiro cross from the right.
There was drama with the second penalty of the match coming, but this time it was in favour of the Buccaneers when Modiba brought down Maswanganyi inside the box.
Modiba then took responsibility at the spot and beat Williams to draw level for Pirates.
As the match appeared to go beyond 90 minutes, the magical moment of the contest arrived when Mofokeng nutmegged Bongani Zungu before stylishly poking it home to decide the final.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates teenage star Relebohile Mofokeng vie for the ball with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Marcelo Allende
Image source: Orlando Pirates
