The new-look Sundowns dethroned defending Telkom Charity Cup Competition champions Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium near Soweto late on Saturday evening.
It was a well-deserved victory under new coach Paul Dolezar and avenged the 1-0 defeat by Chiefs in last year’s final at the same venue.
Sundowns, who won the popular one-day event in 2000, had to achieve their victory via a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw after full-time.
Chiefs captain Patrick Mabedi, David Radebe, Collins Mbesuma and Patrick Mayo beat Sundowns goalkeeper Brian Baloyi while David Kannemeyer could not find his way past his former ‘keeper.
Sundowns’ Ezrom Nyarundo, Rotson Kilambe, Clement Mazibuko, Manqoba Ngwenya and Neil Winstanley all rattled the net past Chiefs sticksman Rowen Fernandez to give the Mamelodi-based team a 5-4 penalty victory.
Sundowns took home R400 000 and Chiefs settled for R200 000.
It was the second similar defeat for Chiefs at the same soccer city near Soweto. They were beaten 4-3 by AS Vita Club from the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the Vodacom Challenge Cup three weeks ago.
The game on Saturday started at a slow pace with both clubs painstakingly taking their time before committing themselves. That did not go down well with the spectators, who were forced to wait for 30 minutes for the kick-off time, which was supposed to be 4.30pm.
The atmosphere was tense and the noise from the estimated 85 000 fans who crammed the 70 000-seater venue was deafening.
However, Sundowns had a slight upper hand, paying numerous visits to Chiefs’ backyard, but were unable to take advantage of the proceedings.
Amakhosi, who claimed last year’s trophy after beating Sundowns 1-0 at the same venue, had their moments although only a few of their attacks reached Sundowns’ area.
Even those that went through found Baloyi equal to the task. He widened his net to deny his former club a single goal.
Chiefs were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box and John ”Shoes” Moshoeu, who won the man-of-the-match honours for his sterling role in Chiefs’ 2-0 victory against Black Leopards in the semifinal, riffled a shot. Baloyi, however, was more than equal to the task.
Few attempts were made at the beginning of the second stanza to try to break the deadlock but none were successful.
Chiefs made a double substitution bringing on Simphiwe Mbambo for Junior Khanye and Thabo Mooki for David Mathebula.
Neither Baloyi nor Chiefs ‘keeper Fernandez were tested. Chiefs made another change, introducing Mayo for striker Kabamba Musasa in the 67th minute.
Sundowns’ Paulos Masehe was yellow-carded in the 74th minute and coach Paul Dolezar replaced him with Kilambe a minute later. He also introduced Ngwenya for Surprise Moriri in the 81st minute.
In what appeared to be a comedy of errors on the side of Chiefs, Mbambo — who came on for Khanye in the 54th minute — was replaced by Radebe towards the end.
The change did not produce the desired result and Ncobo blew his whistle confirming a stale-mate after regulation time.
It was then that the final had to be decided by penalties — a fair reflection of the balanced and lacklustre game.
Orlando Pirates, who were eliminated by Sundowns 1-0 in the semifinal, and Black Leopards were given R100 000 for their appearance. — Sapa