Broken Bones
Second final loss for Tinkler brings into question his fate
THE same man who brought pain to SuperSport United in their last Nedbank Cup final appearance three years ago is the same man who gave them a reason to smile here yesterday.
Like the final three years ago, when Bernard Parker’s extratime goal sealed a 1-0 win for Stuart Baxter’s Kaizer Chiefs side over United, this was another tight one for the former Bafana Bafana coach as Matsatsantsa overcame Orlando Pirates to win the Nedbank Cup and end a disappointing season with something to display in the cabinet.
United’s management must be giving themselves a huge pat on the back for bringing in Baxter halfway through the season rather than waiting for the new season to bring in the experienced man.
He has hit the ground running and they are probably just itching for the 2016-2017 season to start so that they can challenge for the league title.
If yesterday’s performance is anything to go by, then United may just be serious contenders for the title. They came from behind and it looked far too easy for them at times, particularly in the first half thanks to some horrendous defending from their opponents.
United did not play fancy football. But they took their chances. They went a goal down on 13 minutes when Luvuyo Memela scored from close range after Ronwen Williams’ save from a Tendai Ndoro shot fell to the winger to open the scoring.
It was a lead that lasted only two minutes for the Buccaneers. The man who levelled matters — Jeremy Brockie — is a man who scored a stunning volley at this venue in the last 16 of the competition last season.
The New Zealand-born Brockie was poorly marked when he headed home from close range, following a cross from his compatriot Michael Boxall on the right flank.
United took the lead for the first time when Bradley Grobler volleyed home after Brighton Mhlongo’s save from a Brockie shot fell kindly to the former Platinum Stars striker.
Pirates supporters could not believe what they were seeing when United scored a third before half time, from the boot of an unlikely source, Boxall.
The right back was rewarded for not giving up in his run into the opposition half, as he headed home a loose ball in the box to give United a comfortable lead going into the break.
At half time, it looked as though United would cruise to victory.
But the introduction of defender Happy Jele for midfielder Thabo Rakhale brought some stability to the Pirates defence and an own goal by Clayton Daniels nine minutes into the second period ensured that the game would not end as a onesided affair.
Also, an injury to Williams, which meant that second-choice goalkeeper Boalefa Pule had to come on, made things a lot more interesting.
Pirates pushed forward in an attempt to get an equaliser, but they just could not find an opening and Pule also played a role when he made a good save to stop Thabo Matlaba’s powerful shot in the 84th-minute.
For Pirates coach Eric Tinkler, this defeat will be even harder to take after the team lost out in the Caf Confederation Cup final in November.
Tinkler had hoped he would win his first trophy as a head coach after beating big guns Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns to get to the final, but his men were just not able to deliver when it mattered most. He must now wait to hear if Pirates will be holding on to him as coach for next season.
Fans who came out in their numbers certainly got their money’s worth yesterday. This was the highest-scoring Nedbank Cup final since the sponsors came in eight years ago.
These two clubs are not usually afraid to have a go at one another, which is why they get goals and entertain the fans.