Mamelodi Sundowns Secure Domestic Treble With Late Extra Time Winner Against Marumo Gallants in Nedbank Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns were hungry for victory and the way they started the game showed that.

Sundowns came out on the front foot and kept Marumo Gallants' keeper, Washington Arubi, quite busy in the first 15 minutes.

Gastón Sirino came close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute when his long-range effort had to be pushed away by a diving Arubi.

Arubi also had to play sweeper keeper as Peter Shalulile tried to run behind the defenders on more than one occasion. Thabiso Kutumela then missed a great chance to put Masandawana ahead when he was found in the middle of the box unmarked. Kutumela couldn’t get the ball under control and was closed down by Gallants’ defenders. He managed to get a ball away to Khuliso Mudau but the defender blazed his effort over the bar.

Sundowns did take the lead in the 20th minute but the referee chalked off the goal due to a foul on a Gallants' player. Sirino unleashed a beautiful ferocious effort that found the back of the net after picking up a stray ball. Shalulile though was adjudged to have committed a foul which led to the ball going astray. Shalulile then went close to scoring when he cut into the box and unleashed a shot but his effort was deflected away by Gallants’ captain Lehlohonolo Nonyane.

Sundowns finally got the opening goal that they so richly deserved and it came from none other than Shalulile. Sundowns' high press proved to be too much for Gallants and Sirino got a cross into the box from the left flank.

Arubi came out to punch the ball away, knocking it into the path of Shalulile. The Namibian marksman slipped before taking his shot, but still managed to knock the ball over Arubi’s head and into the net.

Gallants should have equalised soon after but Katlego Otladisa headed over the bar.

Sundowns started the second half strong, with Sirino once again creating chances. The Uruguayan setup Kutumela but his acrobatic effort went well over the bar. Gallants then got more into the game and started to dominate possession more. Sundowns were forced to try and play on the break as Dan Malesela’s side looked to level the game.

Sundowns also had chances to kill the game off, especially after Themba Zwane came on for Sirino.

Gallants missed a glorious chance to equalise when Andile Jali uncharacteristically tried a fancy back heel and gave the ball away near his box. Sundowns were able to clear the ball though. Gallants then set the cat amongst the pigeons as they scored in the 75th minute.

Junior Dion headed in from close range, but the goal had a question mark over it as Dion looked to be offside. With the linesman not flagging it and no VAR in play, the goal stood.

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Gallants almost took the immediately after as Otladisa’s audacious long-range chip flew just wide.

With both sides level at the break, the game went to extra time and Sundowns dominated possession once again. The majority of the first 15 minutes were in the Gallants' half. Lyle Lakay had Sundowns’ best chances in that period with two freekicks but couldn’t make the most of either one.

Gallants were content to just sit back and just defend, rather than chase a winner.

The second half of extra time saw Gallants go down to 10 men when Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was sent off for a second bookable offence. Replays showed that Ndlondlo was not guilty of a second foul though and was wrongly sent off.

The sending-off forced Gallants to play the second half of extra time with every man behind the ball. They came under siege from Sundowns as Masandawana were relentless. Sundowns got the winning goal in the 29th minute of extra time through Thapelo Morena. Zwane set up Morena who finished the game off and gave Sundowns the win.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Manqoba Mngqithi and Marumo Gallants' Dan Malesela Share Thoughts Before Nedbank Cup Final:

The final of the Nedbank Cup takes centre stage today as Marumo Gallants and Mamelodi Sundowns meet at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Marumo Gallants will be looking to defend their title while Mamelodi Sundowns are intent on securing a domestic treble.

The two sides will face off in the final today at 6 pm, and the coaches of both sides have shared their thoughts on the huge encounter.

Exclusive: Meet Musa Maphanga, the Mamelodi Sundowns fan who spreads the love at Masandawana live games

The Mamelodi Sundowns supporter has now found a way to combine all three and, in doing so, has caught the attention of football lovers across the country.

Musa, a car salesman from Pietermaritzburg, has been spotted at a Mamelodi Sundowns game on more than one occasion, holding up a sign saying, "I love you Thandeka Mngadi."