Dubbed ”Little Chelsea” for seemingly trying to emulate, on a modest scale, English champions Chelsea’s pursuit of talent via a sizeable chequebook, Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday cruised to a third successive Telkom Charity Cup title while beating Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 in a one-sided final at FNB Stadium.
The Brazilians had earlier beaten Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 during the three-game entertainment extravaganza and a gallant Celtic left their supporters in an 80 000-capacity crowd in a state of sheer ecstasy after upstaging problem-riddled Orlando Pirates 2-0.
But there was little doubting the outcome of the final after classy Venezuelan international striker Jose Torrealba opened the score for Sundowns in the 11th minute with a precisely taken scissor kick from the edge of the penalty area.
Substitute Bennett Mnguni then virtually sealed Celtic’s fate with a smartly taken headed goal in the 34th minute, with the massive crowd siphoned down to little more than a quarter of its original number in increasingly icy weather by the time referee Jerome Damon sounded the final whistle.
The second half was no more than a formality for silky smooth Sundowns and, had the proceedings been as inevitable and one-sided in a boxing contest, the referee would surely have considered terminating the proceedings and awarding the decision on a tko.
Both teams made numerous changes in the second half and Celtic, bowing to the inevitability of the occasion, proceeded to make six changes in all.
Sundowns’ strength-in-depth was emphasised by the fact that they were able to approach the game against Celtic while ”resting” such formidable players as Dillon Sheppard, a star of the earlier win against Chiefs, and Surprise Moriri, who had opened the score against the Amakhosi.
And with a midfield complement of Sheppard, Moriri, Ezrom Nyandoro, Godfrey Sapula, Josta Dladla, Mnguni and other talented players to choose from, Sundowns’ main headache as they launch the defence of their Premier Soccer League title might be whom from this group to leave out of the line-up.
Like a bolt of lightning out of a cloudless sky, Celtic produced their best scoring attempt of the final in injury time when a snap shot eluded Brian Baloyi — who had come on for number-one goalkeeper Calvin Marlin in the second half — and struck the post.
But it was an isolated moment of magic from a gallant team who can take justifiable satisfaction from reaching the final on the awesome occasion. — Sapa