TTM produce fiery display to clinch trophy
Scoreline does not reflect team’s dominance of rivals Chippa United
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) will not exist by that title after the 2020-2021 season, but before that name disappears the Limpopo side has lifted a trophy.
TTM dominated Chippa United by more than Saturday’s night’s 1-0 Nedbank Cup final winning scoreline.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo’s 27th-minute strike separated the teams on the scoreboard, but on the Free State Stadium pitch the gap in performance was greater.
TTM’S new owner, Abram Sello, who took over midseason from Lawrence Mulaudzi, who bought Bidvest Wits, has said he would rename the side next campaign.
But the fascinating story of TTM in 2020-2021 — still to incorporate a league relegation battle — added another chapter on Saturday.
Exciting 25-year-old midfield attacker Ndlondlo’s quick feet, work-rate in his running and intelligent linking might see him mentioned in the Player of the Tournament awards.
TTM coach Dylan Kerr interchanged Ndlondlo with schemer Celimpilo Ngema from the midfield role, where he impressed greatly in Tuesday’s 2-1 league win against Kaizer Chiefs, to playing behind striker Lerato Lamola.
Apart from the opener, Ndlondlo was the influential cog in Tshakhuma’s attack again.
Both sides were playing in their first Cup final.
Vladislav Heric’s Chippa were organised and their desire to put in the effort was evident, but they lacked the ingenuity, gameplan and confidence on the ball of Tshakhuma, who were as motivated but more composed.
The opening half was played at a tremendous pace, with keyed-up TTM coming out with a better purpose.
The opening 20 minutes were fast but cagey.
Tshakhuma’s industriousness, with Thabo Mnyamane on the right and Ndlondlo in the middle in particular making the running, paid off with an opener.
Chippa’s big Burundian centreback Frederic Nsabiyumva attempted a clearance at a pass across the face of his box with a scissor-kick, but miscued to Ngema.
The midfielder teed up Ndlondlo, 30m out, whose drive took a deflection off the head of the same unfortunate Nsabiyumva, trying to block, to beat wrong-footed goalkeeper Ian Watenga.
Chippa’s Thabiso Lebitso beat two players in the middle and then Ngema tripped to allow the winger through on the right to blast wide. But it had been a tamer opening half for the Chilli Boys and TTM who were hot, deservedly took a lead into the break.
TTM had a chance for a safety goal moments back from the break, Thabo Rakhale advancing on the left and side-footing inside to Lamola, who shot tamely at Watenga.
A difficult back-pass to Watenga put the Ugandan keeper under pressure, who slipped on his clearance, the ball landing at the feet of Myamane, who attempted a chip that flew centimetres over.
TTM tired later on. Chippa, who last played three days earlier, in their 1-0 home win against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, had the better lungs.
But Tshakhuma had been more determined to get their hands on that illustrious piece of silverware, and still managed a shot wide from substitute Brandon Theron and a cracking strike by Mnyamane to force Watenga’s stop.