Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a historic treble after a 1-0 win against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup on Saturday.
The Brazilians had already won the Premier League title and Telkom Knockout Cup earlier in the season, and taking the Nedbank Cup as well makes it the club’s first ever domestic treble.
Celtic dominated the early exchanges and created their first chance on goal in the seventh minute when Victor Letsoalo met a right wing cross from Ndumiso Mabena, but the striker headed inches over the bar under no pressure.
In the 19th minute Sifiso Ngobeni turned provider when he played Lantshene Phala through on goal, but again he wasted the chance when he fired into the side-netting from an acute angle ten-yards out.
A minute later, some swift passing by Celtic saw Luck Baloyi slip Sifiso Bongeni through on goal, but with just the keeper to beat, the attacking midfielder fired wide from 14-yards out.
Sundowns looked dangerous breaking through the lines and a cross from the left by Rivardo Cotzee on 37 minutes found Themba Zwane who brought Sipho Sipho to a save.
Celtic controlled the remainder of the half, but failed to create any more significant chances on goal as the half ended 0-0.
Sundowns created the first chance of the second half in the 53rd minute when Gatson Sirino curled a 20-yard effort inches wide of the Celtic goal.
Six minutes later Lebogang Maboe was in the thick of the action again when he cut inside from the left flank and drove into the box, but he saw his shot from an acute angle deflected onto the post from Lorenzo Siphelele Luthuli
Celtic’ first shot on goal in the second half only came in the 64th minute when Andile Fikizolo fired a 18-yard half-volley just over the crossbar.
Momentum shifted in the final quarter after Denis Onyango produced three stunning saves following close-range efforts from Baloyi and Victor, with the third attempt from a distance flying wide.
A knock down by Neo Maema in the 72nd minute from a corner picked out Tebogo Potsane, who went wide of Onyango’s goal after finding space. The Ugandan kept the Brazilians in the game yet again after turning Andile Fikizolo’s side-footer behind for a corner.
The match looked to be headed for extra-time until the 80th minute when Gaston Sirino made it 1-0 for Sundowns with a low curling strike into the bottom corner.
The Brazilians managed to survive the late onslaught to secure the Nedbank Cup title that completes a historic domestic treble for Pitso Mosimane’s charges.
