City pay the penalty as Sundowns clinch MTN8

In perhaps the most thrilling and nail-biting penalty shoot-outs you will ever see, Denis Onyango was the hero for Mamelodi Sundowns when he saved an astonishing five spot-kicks to help Downs beat Cape Town City 3-2 on penalties after playing out to a 1-1 tie in the MTN8 final.  

After goals from Thapelo Morena and Fagrie Lakay in regulation time, the two sides could not be separated even in extra time as the tie had to be decided on penalties where the first four takers failed to convert their spot-kicks.  

Before Masandawana could finally get their hands on the trophy that has eluded them for close to a decade-and-a-half, the 2000 odd fans at the Moses Mabhida Stadium were treated to a thrilling affair as both sides held nothing back, particularly in regulation time before the cautious approach kicked in during extra-time. City were dealt with a blow in the 108^th minute when Fasika Idumba was shown a second yellow card and sent for an early shower for his rash tackle on Sphelele Mkhulise.

Morena, on, his return to the Downs starting line-up, scored the opener in the 24^th minute, but much credit for that goal should go to Thabiso Kutumela, who you would easily confuse for an old-school right-back after dispossessing Taariq Fielies off the ball with a text-book tackle. Kutumela then launched into the box where he found Morena and the 28-year-old made no mistake in front of goal.

Kutumela, who was having a decent game, did not return in the second-half as his coaches, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena decided to withdraw him after he picked up a knock just before the end of the opening half.

The Brazilians had more chances falling for them from the start of the second stanza, as Themba Zwane hit the upright in the 59^th minute, while Rivaldo Coetzee had his bolting shot saved by Hugo Marques moments later. On the opposite end, City also applied the pressure on Denis Onyango’s goal with the most notable falling to Bradley Ralani.

Ralani received a delightful ball from Fagrie Lakay who mostly operated wide on the right, but Ralani could not guide his shot on target as it swung wide off the mark, much to the delight of Onyango. The roles were then reversed when Ralani was the one who weighed the pass to Lakay right after Onyango did not make the best of clearances, allowing the ever-so-alert Ralani to gather the poor clearance and took his time to find Lakay, who slotted past the Ugandan goalie.