DStv Premiership league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have been knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila via penalties (6-5) after a goalless scoreline in the semi-final played on Sunday.
Sundowns had hopes of clinching a treble this season but such dreams have been dashed by the Limpopo province outfit who stood resolutely to the fight and reach their own first Nedbank Cup final.
Sundowns gave Orlando Pirates some football lessons on Thursday to reach the final four but it was not their day on Sunday. The likes of Lesedi Kapinga, who got his first start, goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and Ricardo Nascimento were in the starting XI at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Just five minutes into the cup tie, Kapinga tested the gloves of Washington Arubi with a rasping effort but the goalkeeper was equal to the task. Kapinga kept probing in the final third in search of a goal that would have justified the starting berth he was given but it never came.
Tshakhuma relied on set-pieces to create chances in the game and the first arrived mid-way through the half. A corner was swung in but Alfred Ndengane’s headed effort was far beyond Goss’ post.
A quiet but cagey moment followed as either side was being cautious in the opening exchanges. However, the visitors had another chance to go in front but Diamond Thopola’s header went over the top.
As expected, Sundowns made an improved start to the second half and could have been ahead but Sphelele Mkhulise’s attempt was cleared by Ndengane on the goal-line.
With the game’s progress, Sundowns looked more likely to get the opening goal, as Vhadau Vhadamani were on the receiving end of a series of attacks from the CAF Champions League quarter-finalists. Themba Zwane should have done better when he reacted quickly to a loose ball but he blazed over the bar.
Arubi was the hero of the day in the closing stages of the game. He first denied Gaston Sirino with a breathtaking stop. Later, he made what would be the save of the game to deny substitute Sibusiso Vilakazi’s well-met volley.
That save kept TTM in the game at least for the next 30 minutes and he further proved to be a stubborn nut to crack as he went on to deny Lakay from a free-kick and a powerful header from Brian Onyango to send the game to penalties.
The Zimbabwean’s work in the evening was not done yet, he denied Hlompho Kekana’s from 12 yards before Thembisani Nevhulamba’s decisive kick earned TTM a memorable win over the Brazilians.
TTM will now face fellow maiden finalists Chippa United in the final of the Nedbank Cup on May 8.