Sundowns win Charity Cup 2005
Brad Morgan
2 August 2005
PSL champions Kaizer Chiefs continued their shaky start to the season when they were beaten in the semi-finals of the Telkom Charity Cup at the weekend. Mamelodi Sundowns, who are likely to challenge for the title when the league commences, won the four-team competition with a penalty shootout win over Bloemfontein Celtic in front of a crowd of 70 000.
The action at the FNB Stadium began with Sundowns facing Black Leopards. Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe's side controlled the early proceedings, pushing Leopards onto the defensive and dominating possession.
Midway through the opening stanza they nearly took the lead when Peter Ndlovu forced a good save out of goalkeeper Guy Mutshi.
Back into the contest
As the contest headed into the second quarter Lidoda Duvha came back at the Brazilians, although they lacked the attacking edge to put Downs' goalie Brian Baloyi under much pressure.
Into the second
half, and neither team could pry open the other's defence, although Sundowns' striker Sandile Ndlovu squandered a great chance to put his team in front when he produced a wayward header with the goal beckoning in front of him.
Time ticked on, but finally, with 15 minutes remaining, Oscar Ntwagae gave Sundowns the precious lead when he headed home from a free kick taken by Antonio Trigo.
Ndlovu had the opportunity to make the game safe near the end, but his heading was again found wanting.
Domination but no win
Kaizer Chiefs enjoyed the better of their clash against Bloemfontein Celtic, holding the edge in possession and shots on goal, but not the edge in goals scored as Phunye Sele Sele scored a late winner to advance to the final by a 2-1 margin.
Celtic, coached by former Chiefs' coach Paul Dolezar, took the lead after 14 minutes when former Sundowns striker Rotson Kilambe slotted a penalty after Bevan Fransman was penalised
for committing a foul from a corner.
The Amakhosi didn't sit around wondering what had happened, however, and within a minute they were back on level terms when Songwe Chalwe netted with a header.
Hit the crossbar
Chalwe came close to scoring a second when Arthur Zwane picked him out with a great ball in the twenty-second minute, but his shot hit the crossbar and flew over the top of the goals.
Scara Ngobese almost had Chiefs in front just after the half-hour mark, but a goal line clearance by the Celtic defence kept the score at 1-1, which was how the first half ended.
Fransman nearly made up for conceding a penalty early in the second half, but his shot passed narrowly wide of the upright.
Goal line clearance
With Chiefs in control of the midfield and Celtic playing most of the game in their half the Amakhosi made a push for victory. However, when Lucky Mzizi struck a powerful header
goalwards with five minutes remaining, Celtic again managed a goal line clearance.
Then, with the game into injury time, Phunye Sele Sele stunned the huge contingent of Chiefs' supporters with the winning goal, as Moses Spandeel tapped in from close range after Amakhosi goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez couldn't hold on to a shot by Kilambe.
So, onto the final, with fancied Mamelodi Sundowns looking to successfully defend the title they won in 2004.
Celtic, controversially, had to make do without striker Rotson Kilambe and midfielder Sipho Nunens, who are both at the club on loan from Sundowns. A clause in their contracts prevents them from turning out against the Brazilians, something that probably needs to be examined further.
Controlled the territory
During the final, Sundowns controlled the territory, but found it hard to break down the Celtic defensive line. After 15 minutes of the second half, they finally got it
right.
Surprise Moriri delivered the goal, reacting quickly to hit the back of the net after a cross from an indirect free kick into the penalty area found Godfrey Sapula, who in turn picked out Moriri.
Only six minutes later Celtic pulled themselves back into the final when Moses Spandeel converted from the penalty spot, after Robyn Johannes had conceded a spot kick.
Penalty shootout
Both teams pushed for the victory, but neither could find a way to break the opposition's defence down a second time. So, after 90 minutes the contest went to a penalty shootout.
Once more, neither side managed to edge in front, and it was only when the game was into a sudden death shootout that Sundowns finally managed to end the Bloemfontein club's challenge. Goalkeeper Andre Arendse proved the hero, saving from his opposite number Postnet Omonye, to give the Pretoria team victory.
The win was worth R500 000 to Sundowns.
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