The whole of KwaZulu-Natal backed Maritzburg United to ensure that the Telkom Knockout trophy stayed in the province, but it was not to be as Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to prevail 2-1.
A day before Saturday’s final, a replica of the trophy and some tickets for the final were in a vehicle that was hijacked. The trophy and the tickets were later found in Lindelani, a township in Durban.
And Maritzburg could also have felt robbed of a late equaliser, when Judas Moseamedi’s injury-time strike was ruled offside.
Still, Moseamedi scored the opener before Maurice Affonso’s brace turned the game on its head as the Gauteng giants claimed the spoils.
It was coach Pitso Mosimane’s ninth trophy with the club since arriving at Chloorkop in 2012.
BIG GUN: Pitso Mosimane earned his ninth trophy with Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend. Picture: Samuel SHivambu/BackpagePix.
With Downs still in the PSL title race and eyeing a second Caf Champions League crown under Bra Jingles, the boss is hoping to land a big final contract.
He tells Kickoff: “I don’t think you have ever heard me before stealing a contract, but I’m 55 and want to go until 60.
“This is too stressful for me, I can’t be having this stress all the time, so it’s my last contract and I think it must be worth it the last contract.
“I’m here, I love Mamelodi Sundowns, Sundowns loves me, they want me to stay, I want to stay and the team has also approached me and said ‘coach, we want you to stay’ so we love each other. It’s a matter of hugs and all that”.
Mamelodi Sundowns:
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) December 14, 2019
Telkom Knockout champions -
2015, 2019 pic.twitter.com/0HV0KdZE1m
'Downs resume their PSL challenge on Wedndesday when they travel to Wits for a 7.30pm clash.