Redemption for Tshwane sides in final
In a quest for redemption and to save their disappointing season, Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United will clash in the final of the Nedbank Cup in Soweto at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.
SuperSport Utd vs Sundowns - Text Commentary
Both sides had a disappointing league campaign and this cup final offers a chance at some silverware.
SuperSport finished third, two points ahead of fourth placed Sundowns.
In Matsatsantsa’s last league match of the season away to Bloemfontein Celtic, coach Gavin Hunt showed that his priority was already on the this cup final as he rested five of his key players.
Those players were on the brink of suspension had they each picked up a caution they would have missed Saturday’s match.
Having mounted a late challenge and unsuccessful fight for the league title, Matsatsantsa will be looking for their first cup success under Hunt.
The former Moroka Swallows mentor has led SuperSport to three consecutive league titles, but has not yet tasted cup success with his side.
Defender Thabo September, who has seen little action in the heart of the SuperSport backline, says that his fellow teammates are determined to win this cup and put the disappointing moments of the 2011/12 season to rest.
“We are looking forward to this match because we know it is the last match of the season and it is a match that will define our season.
“We have forgotten about the disappointment of losing out on the league championship, but we are not bitter about it because we know that the best team won in the end.
“There is so much at stake in this match, it is a Tshwane derby and in a derby pride is at stake, so the whole squad is fully motivated to put on a good show for the crowd.
“If it needs be we are prepared to sweat blood on the field on Saturday afternoon.
“Sundowns have some good individual players, players who can change the game at any moment, I would love to name them, but that would be like naming the whole team,” September said.
For Sundowns they will also feel disappointed about how their season has shaped out.
The Brazilians at some point had a very comfortable lead at the top of the table, but lost their way in the run-in by losing crucial matches.
It has been four years since Sundowns lifted a trophy in the PSL and revenge against their city rivals will also be at stake.
SuperSport defeated Sundowns 1-0 two weeks ago in a league match to effectively end Sundowns hopes of a league title.
‘Downs midfielder Surprise Moriri, who has put in some sterling performances this season in his new and unfamiliar role as a defensive midfielder, says that winning the cup will make everyone happy in the Brazilians camp.
“I think everyone feels that this is the last throw of the dice. We have to go there on Saturday and make sure we do everything in our power to win the cup, and hopefully God is with us on the day.
“It is going to be an interesting game and we are looking forward to it.
“They are a very good team. They are a team who use, most of the time, their set-pieces to get goals, so we will have to guard against those kinds of things. I’m not saying they only rely on set-pieces, playing wide they are good also.
“We just have to go there and make sure we stick to the plan of the coach. If we stick to our normal game and play to the best of our abilities we will have the edge,” the former Platinum Stars player said.
Remarkably with the fierce rivalry between these two sides, this will be the first time that these clubs meet in a cup final.
