Menzi Magubane
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila stunned Mamelodi Sundowns to book a place in the final of the Nedbank Cup. The Polokwane-based team beat Sundowns 6-5 on penalties on Sunday afternoon at Loftus Stadium in Tshwane.
The match finished 0-0 after extra time and it was left to penalties to decide who will meet Chippa United in the final next month. Sundowns were hoping to defend their title they won last season after beating Bloemfontein Celtic but it wasn’t meant to be.
On Thursday at the same venue Downs humiliated Orlando Pirates by beating them 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Tshakhuma proved to be a different proposition and Sundowns tried everything they could zto crack them but they couldn’t.
Now Tshakhuma will face Chippa in the final. The venue, date and time of the final is yet to be confirmed
To reach the final Chippa beat another Tshwane-based side in Pretoria Callies. They defeated the GladAfrica Championship outfit by a single goal at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Both Chippa and Tshakhuma will now turn their focus on trying to save their DStv Premiership status. They are in danger of being relegated to the GladAfrica Championship next season.
Tshakhuma are in 14th place with 19 points and they have nine games remaining. Chilli Boys on the other hand they are in 15th position with 17 points and they have eight games remaining.
Both these teams have league games on Tuesday to try and get those important points. Chippa will host Baroka at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha at 3pm while Tshakhuma will play Maritzburg United at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane at 5pm.
On Wednesday Sundowns will travel to Durban to take on AmaZulu in the top of the table clash at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium. Downs will be hoping to stretch their lead on top of the table to nine points if they beat Usuthu.
Second place AmaZulu on the other hand they will be looking to cut their deficit to three points should they beat Downs.
Picture source: @Masandawana
