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Sundowns shocked by TTM in Nedbank Cup

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Hlompho Kekana (Gallo Images)
Hlompho Kekana (Gallo Images)

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila will meet Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup final after overcoming Mamelodi Sundowns 6-5 on penalties after full-time had ended 0-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

The Brazilians made three changes with Ricardo Goss, Ricardo Nascimento and Lesedi Kapinga coming into the side. TTM made one change with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo coming into their starting lineup.

In the 10th minute, Lesedi Kapinga dropped a shoulder to beat his opposing defender and tried to curl one towards the far post corner but it was too straight and in the end a comfortable effort to deal with.

Sundowns were totally dominating, but were perhaps being a little too intricate in their passing and not quite incisive enough.

Not many chances were created as the sides went into the interval, with TTM looking solid at the back against the holders.

Sundowns almost took the lead two minutes into the second half when Thapelo Morena's long ball over the top of a TTM defence that was holding a high line was run onto by Siphelele Mkhulise, who lobbed the onrushing Washington Arubi, but the ball was heroically cleared away just before crossing the line by Alfred Ndengane.

The Brazilians missed a chance that had goal written all over it in the 55th minute. Sirino fizzed a testing ball into the area from the right-hand side, which Arubi could only parry right into the path of Zwane, who skied an easy close-range effort over the bar.

Aubrey Modiba then backheeled the ball down the left-hand line for Lyle Lakay, who whipped in a good cross which Sirino met with his head and it brought a good save out of Arubi down to his right.

In the 87th minute, Downs built up from the back well with Shalulile involved and Vilakazi shot from close range, but Arubi made the save!

With 30 seconds of added time, TTM's high line was once again exposed, but Vilakazi failed to capitalise firing over the bar from a tight angle.

Lakay tested Arubi once again eight minutes into stoppage time when he struck a free-kick just outside the box, which looked destined for the top-right hand corner, but the diving Zimbabwean shot-stopper brilliantly diverted it away.

The tie went to penalties and the sides each netted their opening five. However, Hlompho Kekana missed the sixth and Thembisani Nevhulamba tucked home TTM's sixth to send them into the final of South Africa's premier cup competition.

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