Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Cape Town City 3-2 on penalties in the 2021 MTN8 final on Saturday night.
The game got off to a lively start as Lyle Lakay and Rivaldo Coetzee forced saves out of shot-stopper Hugo Marques while Mduduzi Mdantsane squandered a good chance at the other end.
The opening goal came in the 24th minute as Taariq Fielies lost possession of the ball to Thabiso Kutumela who surged into the box before picking out Thapelo Morena for the close-range finish.
There were further chances at either end as Denis Onyango produced a good save to keep out Craig Martin while Kutumela forced Hugo Marques into a decent save before the break.
City coach Eric Tinkler made a double substitution 20 minutes before time, as Mpho Makola replaced Mduduzi Mdantsane for fresh legs and Terrence Mashego came on for Martin in a tactical switch.
The change of shape gave City the equaliser five minutes later as Fagrie Lakay smashed home an unstoppable low drive across, into the bottom corner after a through ball by Bradley Ralani.
City, however, were forced to finish the game with 10 men as Idumba Fasika was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card as they went into the deciding penalty shootout.
The game marked the first time that fans were allowed to attend a high-profile Premier Soccer League (PSL) game since the implementation of level five lockdown in early 2020.
The first four penalties were missed during a frantic shootout which saw only five penalties scored thanks to wayward kicking and some fantastic stops by the men between the sticks.
Onyango stood tall in goal during the dreadful shootout as Sundowns emerged victorious after netting three of their spot kicks to City’s two.