Cape Town City needed the penalty shootout heroics of Peter Leeuwenburgh to edge out SuperSport United in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium after dominating in a 0-0 draw.

In what was a repeat of last season’s MTN8 final, SuperSport and Cape Town City came head-to-head at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Matsatsantsa came into the final full of confidence after overcoming arguably the toughest route by beating both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, coupled with their impressive start to the league, which left Kaitano Tembo’s men hungry to secure more silverware.

The Citizens were looking to redeem themselves from last season’s final failure and despite struggling in the league, winning only one of their opening six matches, Benni McCarthy’s men would have gained belief after beating Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals.

As in last year’s final, City started the game on the front foot, but it was the defending champions who had the first sight at goal as Fagrie Lakay was picked out in the box, but his volley flew over the crossbar.

City then had a glorious chance to open the scoring when Thabo Nodada struck the upright with a powerful shot, but the rebound fell at the feet of Siphelele Mthembu who couldn’t get a clean strike on goal with the ball rolling harmlessly to Ronwen Williams.

Roland Putsche was next to go close for the Citizens, who were creating chances at will. The midfielder ghosted into the box but couldn’t direct his free header on goal.

City were yet again proving to be wasteful in front of goal as Ayanda Patosi was the next man to miss a guilt-edge chance as he slashed his shot over the bar after some excellent work down the wing by Gift Links.

City again lacked a clinical edge at the start of the second half as first Craig Martin couldn’t hit the target with his header before Edmilson was denied by a brilliant save from Williams with 55 minutes on the clock.

Chances then proved harder to come by in the next 30 minutes as SuperSport managed to show their defensive organisation.

Five minutes before time, the side from Cape Town had yet another opening go a begging as Links rifled the crossbar with his close-range volley.

They were somehow still level at the end of the 90 minutes as the game headed into extra time for the second year in a row between these two sides.

Both sides were clearly feeling the effects of the energy-sapping final and the pace of the game began to suffer.

After a largely uneventful 30 minutes of extra time, it was down to the lottery of a penalty shootout to determine the 2018 MTN8 champions.

Peter Leeuwenburgh then proved to be the hero as he saved shots from Bradley Grobler and Reneilwe Letsholonyane before Nodada stepped up to smash home the winning penalty.

City are deserved winners on the day as McCarthy picks up his first trophy as a coach.

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