Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing a domestic treble while Bloemfontein Celtic are looking to repeat the 2012 heroics when they controversially beat the same opponents 1-0 in the Telkom Knockout final.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Nedbank Cup Final | Saturday 12 September 2020 | Orlando Stadium | 20:00
To Win Match (90 Mins)
Bloem Celtic 17/4
Draw 23/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 7/10
Bloemfontein Celtic
Siwelele Samasokolara are looking to snap an eight-year trophy drought which should bode well for a team that’s going through financial difficulties at the moment. The last trophy they won was against Mamelodi Sundowns courtesy of a “ghost goal” by Joel Mogorosi which most fans believe hadn’t crossed the goal line when Clayton Daniels made the clearance.
Celtic have been impressive under John Maduka and they head into this match having lost only one of their last 11 games in all competitions. They have been one of the most impressive teams in the bio-bubble and for me, them and Cape Town City are currently playing the best football in the league.
Maduka has a plethora of options in the attack with the likes of Ndumiso Mabena, Sera Motebang, Siphelele Luthuli, Victor Letsoalo, Tebogo Potsane, Andile Fikizolo and Menzi Masuku raring to give the Brazilians a run for their money. This is one of the few teams in the Absa Premiership that can go toe-to-toe with the South African champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Pitso Mosimane will be looking to win his first ever domestic treble as a coach to wrap up what has been a fantastic season for the Brazilians, having already won the Telkom Knockout and the league title. Sundowns’ winning mentality manifested itself this season when they clawed their way back to title glory after trailing Kaizer Chiefs by a whopping 13 points at some stage of the season.
The technical team should mainly deal with the psychological aspect of the players as they head into this game off the back of a massive league title triumph. This game should test their resolve, hunger and desire to win more trophies.
Truth be told, it’s taken a while for Sundowns to get going after lockdown but when they hit their stride, they became ruthless. The Brazilians head into this one off the back of two consecutive 3-0 victories over Polokwane City and Black Leopards.
Prediction: Bloemfontein Celtic (17/4)
Sundowns are priced up as favourites but I’ve watched both teams closely since the return of football and Celtic has been the better team. I’ve seen them outclassing the likes of Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United with ease. Had poor finishing not lead them down they’d have won all their games under the new coach. Sundowns will definitely give it a good go but I think Phunya Sele Sele will edge it like they did eight years ago.
