Anthony Laffor has missed out on winning his second Telkom Knockout Cup Competition following the Mamelodi Sundowns’ quarter-final exit.
The CAF Champions League winners were knocked out of the Telkom Cup after losing 3-1 on penalties to Supersports United.
The Sundowns, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition after a 2-0 win over Polokwane City, failed to score against Supersports in regular time as they were held to a goalless draw.
It was an encouraging start for the Sundowns who looked to have taken the lead after ten minutes with an effort from 22-year-old South African forward, Percy Tau. The Sundowns enjoyed most of the possession in the first half but were denied any chance of scoring by a stubborn Supersports United defense as they both went to the first 45 minutes break with a scoreless draw.
The Sundowns continued to push for the opener in the second half as they mounted pressure on a Supersports team that was later reduced to ten men in the 60th minute.
Liberian striker Anthony Laffor was introduced in the 75th minute as the “Brazilians†continued their hunt for an opener. Despite having the advantage of playing with 11-man against an incomplete Supersports, the Sundowns failed to get a goal in regular time with Percy Tau and Hlompho Kekana all missing their best chances to grab the lead. An extra 30 minutes of play was added to the match.
Progressively, Supersports’ defense became stronger, as they prevented a strong Sundowns attack from scoring in all 30 minutes of extra time. The match winner was decided from the penalty spot where the Sundowns eventually lost 3-1.
Having already lost in the final of the MTN-8 Cup, the Sundowns will now focus on defending their ABSA Premiership league title.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
