DURBAN — Bloemfontein Celtic were crowned Telkom Knockout champions for the first time after Joel Mogorosi’s controversial second-half goal helped them secure a 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night.
Report by Supersport
The goal came after 47 minutes when the midfielder headed in at the back post, although replays on whether the whole ball crossed the line were inconclusive.
Referee Phillip Tinyani nonetheless awarded the goal after linesman Thembisile Windvoel raised his flag, despite the efforts of defender Clayton Daniels to clear on the line.
“The Brazilians” failed to conjure up any meaningful threat thereafter and slipped to a second cup final loss in seven months, while Clinton Larsen’s men held on for the R4,25 million prize — the third major trophy in their history and first since 2005. Bloemfontein Celtic captain Thabo Nthethe and coach Clinton Larsen have dedicated the Telkom Knockout victory to the passionate “Siwelele” supporters.
“As a team we were looking forward to winning and not to disappoint our supporters,” Nthethe said. “The team has done well and we want to celebrate with the supporters. To the coach, he has done a wonderful job. What we are today is because of the coaching staff.”
Coach Larsen said: “It has been a roller-coaster ride. In the dying minutes we needed to focus and concentrate and I’m so proud of my boys today.
“It would have been an injustice had we not won this cup after the route we had to the final.
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“Once again I want to say that our supporters are by far the best soccer fans in the country. We did this for them!”
Meanwhile, Mogorosi said: “We really wanted this cup. Now we have motivation. We can keep pushing and go and focus on the League. We are playing SuperSport in the League tomorrow and don’t have time to celebrate this win too much. I don’t know what to say, I am really happy.”
