2009 Metropolitan Premier Cup, Erica Park, Belhar
A new champion will be crowned at this year’s Metropolitan Premier Cup after defending champions Ajax Cape Town were summarily eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns in the tournament’s first knockout round at Erica Park in Belhar on Saturday.
On a day of high drama, two local club sides, Hanover Park and City Lovers joined bay United, Moroka Swallows, Arminia Bielefeld, Engen Santos and BidVest Wits in the quarter-finals.
Ajax were out-muscled by a physically superior Sundowns outfit, which enjoyed the benefit of a small but vociferous group of hardcore supporters that rivalled the much larger number of Urban Warriors fans.
‘Downs took the lead just before the midway point of the first half through Lucky Nguzane, whose brilliantly flighted free kick curled into the top corner of the net, leaving Stefan Van Neel helpless in the Ajax goal.
Despite a sterling effort from Ajax, it was Sundowns who looked more likely to add to the scoreline as, in very un-Ajax like fashion, their defence was caught square time and again, leaving Sundowns in threatening positions. Yet, it took until the final minute for the Chloorkop to do so, when substitute Mahkase Makudubela scored after a free kick was headed back across goal. Ajax’ Isma-eel Stanford pulled a goal back in stoppage time but it was no more than a consolation for the pre-tournament favourites.
In the remaining Round-of-16 matches, Wade Jooste scored an extra-time winner as Bay United took the honours in a 3-2 thriller against Salt River Blackpool. The side from Port Elizabeth led twice in regulation time, through Mandiwakwe July and Vuyolwethu Dingani, but strikes from Ziyaad Cooper and Cwenga Jezila kept Blackpool in the hunt.
City Lovers maintained their 100 percent success rate so far, coming from a goal down to beat Westridge F&NC, 2-1. Sanele Ngigi and Peter Mhlawuli netted the goals for Lovers, after Brandon Davids had given Westridge the lead.
The African safari of English guest team, South Nottingham College was brought to an end by Moroka Swallows, whose form is beginning to look ominous to potential future opponents. A brace by Nhlakanipho Ngobese gave the Dube Fledglings a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Hanover Park had striker Sello Kakudi to thank for their place in the last eight. The prolific striker bagged a hat-trick – the third coming in extra-time – to see his team through 3-2 in a classic cup-tie against Maties FC. Ivor Daniels and Alvin Manuel replied for the Stellenbosch club.
Goals from Bunyamin Atasaya and Marwin Studtrucker ensured that there would be one overseas representative in the quarter-final line-up, though. Arminia Bielefeld kept the German flag flying following a 2-1 triumph over Milano United, for whom Shamiel Philander’s effort proved fruitless in the final reckoning.
Engen Santos managed to overcome some patchy form to squeeze past one of the fancied sides in the competition, the Old Mutual Academy. While Mutual looked the more dangerous of the two for much of the match, it was an excellent solo effort from Santos striker Darron Omaticus that landed the killer blow a couple of minutes from time.
Finally, in the last game of the night, Kwazulu-Natal’s only presence at the Metropolitan Premier Cup, Bright Stars found Bivest Wits in an uncharitable mood, going down 2-1, as Lyle Peters struck twice for the Clever Boys to render Xolani Mtshali’s equaliser meaningless.
Sunday’s quarter-finals will proceed as follows:
10h30 - Arminia Bielefeld v Engen Santos; Bay United v Moroka Swallows
12h30 – Bidvest Wits v Hanover Park; City Lovers v Mamelodi Sundowns
Earlier in the day the Plate (third-placed teams from group phase) quarter-finals will be played at 09h00 as follows:
WP United v Baltic Rangers
Belhar Spurs v Platinum Stars
Southdowns FC v Ikapa Sporting
Avondale Athletico v Bloemfontein Celtic
A new champion will be crowned at this year’s Metropolitan Premier Cup after defending champions Ajax Cape Town were summarily eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns in the tournament’s first knockout round at Erica Park in Belhar on Saturday.
On a day of high drama, two local club sides, Hanover Park and City Lovers joined bay United, Moroka Swallows, Arminia Bielefeld, Engen Santos and BidVest Wits in the quarter-finals.
Ajax were out-muscled by a physically superior Sundowns outfit, which enjoyed the benefit of a small but vociferous group of hardcore supporters that rivalled the much larger number of Urban Warriors fans.
‘Downs took the lead just before the midway point of the first half through Lucky Nguzane, whose brilliantly flighted free kick curled into the top corner of the net, leaving Stefan Van Neel helpless in the Ajax goal.
Despite a sterling effort from Ajax, it was Sundowns who looked more likely to add to the scoreline as, in very un-Ajax like fashion, their defence was caught square time and again, leaving Sundowns in threatening positions. Yet, it took until the final minute for the Chloorkop to do so, when substitute Mahkase Makudubela scored after a free kick was headed back across goal. Ajax’ Isma-eel Stanford pulled a goal back in stoppage time but it was no more than a consolation for the pre-tournament favourites.
In the remaining Round-of-16 matches, Wade Jooste scored an extra-time winner as Bay United took the honours in a 3-2 thriller against Salt River Blackpool. The side from Port Elizabeth led twice in regulation time, through Mandiwakwe July and Vuyolwethu Dingani, but strikes from Ziyaad Cooper and Cwenga Jezila kept Blackpool in the hunt.
City Lovers maintained their 100 percent success rate so far, coming from a goal down to beat Westridge F&NC, 2-1. Sanele Ngigi and Peter Mhlawuli netted the goals for Lovers, after Brandon Davids had given Westridge the lead.
The African safari of English guest team, South Nottingham College was brought to an end by Moroka Swallows, whose form is beginning to look ominous to potential future opponents. A brace by Nhlakanipho Ngobese gave the Dube Fledglings a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Hanover Park had striker Sello Kakudi to thank for their place in the last eight. The prolific striker bagged a hat-trick – the third coming in extra-time – to see his team through 3-2 in a classic cup-tie against Maties FC. Ivor Daniels and Alvin Manuel replied for the Stellenbosch club.
Goals from Bunyamin Atasaya and Marwin Studtrucker ensured that there would be one overseas representative in the quarter-final line-up, though. Arminia Bielefeld kept the German flag flying following a 2-1 triumph over Milano United, for whom Shamiel Philander’s effort proved fruitless in the final reckoning.
Engen Santos managed to overcome some patchy form to squeeze past one of the fancied sides in the competition, the Old Mutual Academy. While Mutual looked the more dangerous of the two for much of the match, it was an excellent solo effort from Santos striker Darron Omaticus that landed the killer blow a couple of minutes from time.
Finally, in the last game of the night, Kwazulu-Natal’s only presence at the Metropolitan Premier Cup, Bright Stars found Bivest Wits in an uncharitable mood, going down 2-1, as Lyle Peters struck twice for the Clever Boys to render Xolani Mtshali’s equaliser meaningless.
Sunday’s quarter-finals will proceed as follows:
10h30 - Arminia Bielefeld v Engen Santos; Bay United v Moroka Swallows
12h30 – Bidvest Wits v Hanover Park; City Lovers v Mamelodi Sundowns
Earlier in the day the Plate (third-placed teams from group phase) quarter-finals will be played at 09h00 as follows:
WP United v Baltic Rangers
Belhar Spurs v Platinum Stars
Southdowns FC v Ikapa Sporting
Avondale Athletico v Bloemfontein Celtic
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