Staff Reporter.
(SS) – Marumo Gallants will attempt to stop the juggernaut that is Mamelodi Sundowns from completing a domestic treble in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
Gallants are the defending champions, having won the competition last season as Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila when they beat Chippa United 1-0 to lift the trophy for the first time.
The Limpopo outfit subsequently changed their name during the off-season after showing bravery in staving off relegation from the DStv Premiership.
Dan Malesela is hoping to join an exclusive club as he bids to win the title for a second time. He guided TS Galaxy to Nedbank Cup glory in 2019 by defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final.
Only Stuart Baxter and Pitso Mosimane have tasted success more than once as coach since 2008 when Nedbank came on board as the new sponsors.
Sundowns were the first winners of the cup in its current format and they triumphed again in 2015 and 2020. The Pretoria giants are seeking a record fourth title as they currently share that honour with SuperSport United as three-time champions in the last 14 years.
Mosimane was at the helm during their 2020 triumph, although Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena were his assistants at the time and the duo are looking for their maiden title as co-coaches this season.
Head to Head
The two teams met in the competition for the first time last term when Masandawana’s title defence came to an end in the semifinals following a 6-5 loss on penalties to Bahlabane Ba Ntwa.
That was Gallants’ only victory over Downs in five attempts – the reigning DStv Premiership champions won 4-0 away from home in the league earlier this term before being held to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld one month later on 23 December.
It was a similar story the previous season as Sundowns emerged 3-1 victors in Polokwane after the reverse fixture had finished goalless.
How they Progressed
Gallants began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over ABC Motsepe League club Santos in the round of 32 and then disposed of Orlando Pirates via a penalty shootout in the round of 16.
Malesela’s side edged recently-relegated league rivals Baroka 1-0 in the quarterfinals before knocking out TTM by the same scoreline in the last four.
The Brazilians had a far easier route after they saw off GladAfrica Championship winners Richards Bay 4-0 in the opening round and thrashed ABC Motsepe opponents Mathaithai 6-0 in the round of 16.
They dispatched another lower-league team in Summerfield Dynamos 5-0 in the last eight before facing their first real challenge in the form of Royal AM in the semifinals, where they triumphed 2-1.