Peter Leeuwenburgh emerged as the hero as Cape Town City clinched their first piece of silverware under coach Benni McCarthy by defeating SuperSport United 4-1 on penalties to secure the 2018 MTN8 title, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
SuperSport United:
Ronwen Williams: 7/10
Put in a good performance and kept his side in the game when he saved Siphelele Mthembu’s effort from point-blank range in the first half. He might feel slightly disheartened that he didn’t keep out any of City’s penalties.
READ: CT City crowned MTN8 champions
Aubrey Modiba: 7/10
One of the side’s best performers on the night. Linked up well in attack with Yeye and provided excellent defensive cover to minimise the danger of Thamsanqa Mkhize on the offence.
Grant Kekana: 6/10
Had a torrid time dealing with the pacey, young Gift Links, but did well in his personal duel. Didn’t offer much going forward.
Clayton Daniels: 6/10
His solid partnership alongside Bongani Khumalo in the heart of the defence was breached several times, but fortunately for the Bafana Bafana international, his team didn’t suffer as a result. However, he did pull up with a cramp later on.
Bongani Khumalo: 5/10
Did well in dealing with the physicality of Mthembu, but was beaten for pace once too often.
Teboho Mokoena: 5/10
Was a virtual spectator for much of the first stanza, but stamped his authority in the second half. Wasn’t allowed to make his presence felt in the final third.
Dean Furman: 6/10
SuperSport’s midfield destroyer barely imposed himself on the game. He had an odd shot here and a few tackles there, but just wasn’t his usual self. When SuperSport were under the cosh, Furman faded with them. He was SuperSport’s only penalty scorer.
Reneilwe Letsholoyonyane: 5/10
The MTN8 final specialists’ winning run in the tournament came to an end with the 36-year-old midfielder blowing hot and cold throughout the clash. The former Kaizer Chiefs man had a tough time dealing with City’s industrious midfielders, allowing Ayanda Patosi to pull the strings.
Evans Rusike: 6/10
Picked up a knock a few minutes into the clash, which resulted in him having a quiet first half. The Zimbabwean attacker came to life during SuperSport’s counter-attacks.
James Keene: 5/10
Coach Kaitano Tembo revealed why he selected Keene ahead of MTN8 top scorer Bradley Grobler in his post-match conference, citing Grobler’s lack of match fitness. While Keene succeeded in keeping the centre backs on their toes, he failed to deliver what mattered most: goals.
Fagrie Lakay: 5/10
Started off the game very well, giving Man of the Match Edmilson Dove tireless problems with his pace and skill. The former Ajax Cape Town loanee, however, picked up a hamstring injury and was forced off in the first half.
Substitutes:
Bradley Grobler: N/A
Didn’t have minutes on the pitch to garner a rating.
Onismor Bhasera: 6/10
Came on to good effect as Tembo’s side looked to play for a stalemate in the hope of penalties. Defensively sound.
Ghampani Lungu: 6/10
Replaced the injured Lakay early on and barring a few good touches, he lacked the explosiveness that he was meant to inject into the team.
READ: Benni dedicates MTN8 triumph to his wife
Cape Town City:
Peter Leeuwenburgh: 9/10
The Dutchman was superb in regulation time just like he was throughout the MTN8 tournament. He emerged as the hero, saving Grobler and Yeye’s spot-kicks to ensure his side run out 4-1 victors on penalties.
Thamsanqa Mkhize: 8/10
Mkhize was handed a tough opponent in Modiba for the clash, but the ever-reliable captain showed his class, determination and will to win as he came out on top to lead his team to their first piece of silverware under Benni McCarthy.
Kouassi Kouadja: 8/10
The big talking point of the match for a couple of weeks was the absence of influential defender Taariq Fielies due to suspension. McCarthy fielded the Ivorian defender in place of Fielies and he hardly put a foot wrong. On the occasion that he did, his partner in crime Mngonyama cleaned up well.
Edmilson Dove: 9/10
Barring the opening exchanges that saw Lakay give Edmilson a run for his money, the 24-year-old performed exceptionally well and was voted Man of the Match. Defensively, he not only kept up with the Lakay and Modiba, but gave the SuperSport defenders, namely Kekana, a tough time.
Gift Links: 10/10
‘Wow’ is all that I can say. The 19-year-old has gradually been finding his feet with the Citizens and his performance at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is testimony to his quality. His confidence was sky high from the offset with the left-footed wings causing the home side all sorts of trouble with his array of skills and pace. More impressive was his direct-minded approach. Oh, and the fact that he didn’t stop running for the entire 120 minutes.
Ayanda Patosi: 9/10
A matured performance from the attacking midfielder, who outplayed the likes of Furman, Mokoena and Yeye. Like Links, he is gradually getting better with every game. Although his influence in the final third was limited, he made the team tick and showed glimpses of his brilliance with his through balls.
Roland Putsche: 9/10
Excelled in the midfield role alongside Nodada. His bite in the midfield was the difference. He excelled at breaking down the play, while thriving in attacking areas with his exquisite seamless passing range.
Siphelele Mthembu: 7/10
A soldier-like performance from the former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker. Being the target man is no easy feat, but it’s something that Mthembu seems to enjoy. He made it hard for the defensive duo of Daniels and Khumalo with his ability to hold the ball up. He should have opened the scoring in the first half, but somehow missed from less than six yards out.
Thabo Nodada: 9/10
Excellent performance on all fronts from Cape Town City’s own N’Golo Kante. Buoyed by playing in front of his home crowd, the 23-year-old just got better as the game went on.
Craig Martin: 7/10
Ran his socks off from the first minute before coming off for Riyaad Norodien. Came close to scoring a brilliant looping header after latching on to Edmilson’s cross.
Kwanda Mngonyama: 8/10
An excellent performance from the former Mamelodi Sundowns defender who seemed to enjoy those last-ditch tackles. Admittedly, at a point, I got a bit nervous with the number of times he went flying in, but his timing was impeccable. Showed his experience on a night where Benni and City really needed him.
Substitutes:
Mpho Matsi: 7/10
Came on to solidify the midfield and allowed City’s wings, Links and Norodien, to bomb up on the flanks in a bid to break the deadlock.
Keanu Cupido: 8/10
Was called on to replace the injured Kouassi and didn’t put a foot wrong. Came up against a physical and more experienced Keene, but stood his ground.
Riyaad Norodien: 7/10
Came on to good effect replacing Martin in the second half. His energy brought life to the City attack, and he often tracked back to thwart pout the danger of Modiba.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
