BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 23: Lucas Ribeiro of Mamelodi Sundowns FC during the Carling Knockout, Final match between Magesi FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at Free State Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns entered the halftime break leading Magesi FC 1-0 in the Carling Knockout final on Saturday evening.
Carling Knockout Final
Result: Magesi FC 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 23 November 2024
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Sundowns kept the same side from their win over Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals, as Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Iqraam Rayners led the attack.
Masandawana were on the front foot early on as Teboho Mokoena and Shalulile came close with powerful shots from range that were brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Magesi were compact at the back and did not allow spaces for Manqoba Mngqithi’s charges, as after 20 minutes, Mokoena fired another rocket from the edge of the box that brought the best out of Chipezeze.
The Brazilians eventually went ahead ten minutes before the break after Rayners curled a low shot past the Zimbabwean towards the bottom corner after a through ball by Ribeiro.
The Tshwane giants rotated and knocked the the ball around with half-time approaching and were happy to go to the interval with a narrow lead.
Clinton Larsen’s charges had a perfect start in the second stanza as three minutes from the break Tshepo Kakora levelled matters with a downward header at the back post from a cross by Edmore Chirambadare.
Sundowns were fired up after that but they were reduced to shots from range, as midway into the first stanza Mokoena had another powerful strike that was smothered by Chipezeze.
Mngqithi needed a different spark in attack with 15 minutes to go, as Thapelo Morena replaced Shalulile and Kutlwano Letlhaku came on for Khuliso Mudau in tactical changes.
The game was on the edge in the closing stages as Magesi pressed Masandawana high and Delano Abrahams gave Dikwena the lead in the dying minutes with a finish off his knee unmarked in the box after a flick on from a corner.
Magesi defended in numbers in the tail end and frustrated Masandawana, who could not create chances playing long balls and the Limpopo side held on to a surprise win and were crowned champions.
Here’s how they lined up:
Magesi FC: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Mokone, Mzava, Mokone, Darpoh, Mekoa, Mashigo, Kakora, Chirambandare, Makhubu.
Subs: Mpandle, Baloyi, Makgoga, Komape, Manzini, Njoti, Rademeyer, Masegela, Matima,
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Aubaas, Mokoena, Allende, Ribeiro, Shalulile, Rayners.
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Lunga, Morena, Maboe, Mkhulise, Maema, Lethlaku, Sales
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