ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Johannesburg | Sunday 2.00pm.
Orlando Pirates(1) 1 (Mkhize 35-pen) Sundowns(1) 3 (Shai 30, 55, Motlohi 89) Sundowns qualify 3-2 on aggregate
UTILITY player Isaac Shai celebrated his return to the national squad with a couple of goals as Sundowns reached their third consecutive Rothmans Cup final on a scorching afternoon in Johannesburg.
Shai struck two free kicks past goalkeeper William Okpara and played a part in the last-minute goal from Charles Motlohi that sealed the fate of the timid Buccaneers.
It was the third Rothmans Cup semi-finals defeat in a row for Pirates, who were favoured to reach the decider after winning the first leg of the semi-final 1-0 in Pretoria two weeks ago.
Having fallen behind during the first half, the Sea Robbers briefly offered hope to their many fans in a crowd of about 40000 when Phumlani Mkhize scored from a twice-taken penalty.
Goalkeeper John Tlale stopped the first effort after illegally moving forward before the kick was taken and when Mkhize calmly slotted his second attempt into the net, drama erupted.
Sundowns coach Paul Dolezar, who guided Kaizer Chiefs to victory in the previous two editions of the competition, grabbed the trophy and planted it beside the Pirates bench, before storming on to the pitch.
It took several minutes before the Franco-Yugoslav coach was persuaded
by his officials and players to leave the pitch. How ironic that at a time when fans are displaying increasing discipline, coaches set such a bad example.
Instead of galvanising the Buccaneers, the goal seemed to revitalise Sundowns, who regained the lead through Shai after 55 minutes and survived a few close shaves before the late clincher.