Nick Said, Special to ESPN 6y

Free State Stars claim 2018 Nedbank Cup


Free State Stars were crowned South African Nedbank Cup winners on Saturday evening after a 1-0 success over Maritzburg United in the final played at Cape Town Stadium.

Maritzburg were the better team on the day and created numerous chances, but lost to a goal late in the first half from Stars forward Goodman Dlamini. 


Stars now qualify for the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup after winning South Africa's version of the FA Cup for the first time having lost in their only previous final in 1994 to Vaal Professionals. 


It is heartache for a young Maritzburg side that were seeking a first trophy in the club's history, but they could not convert a multitude chances they created in what was a lively and entertaining final.

It is a triumph for Stars' Belgian coach Luc Eymael, who has been hotly tipped for a move away from the club at the end of the season having turned them from relegation contenders into cup winners, to go with a sixth position in the league.

Maritzburg saw plenty of the ball early on and created a few half-chances, but it was Stars that provided the first shot on target as Dlamini's effort from range was easy for United goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Maritzburg winger Deolin Mekoa was a threat out wide and his cross was headed wide by Bandile Shandu, while Paseka Sanoka and Andrea Fileccia both had speculative efforts that rose over the Stars bar.

Mekoa's free-kick from a central position was flicked goalwards by Bevan Fransman, but Stars goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni got down well to palm the ball to safety.

There was an almighty scare for the Free State side as Fileccia's low cross from the left was turned just past his own post by Stars defender Nyiko Mobbie.

But seconds later Stars were in front when Sanoka was robbed of the ball by Sinethemba Jantjie and his pass to Dlamini was well finished by the experienced frontman.


Stars held the 1-0 lead at the break, but Maritzburg had the first shot in anger in the second period as Fileccia set up Shandu, who flashed a shot just wide of goal with the goalkeeper beaten.

Maritzburg were convinced they should have had a penalty with 15 minutes to go as the ball appeared to strike a Stars defender on the arm in the box, but referee Victor Hlungwani waved play-on, much to the dismay of the bench of the KwaZulu-Natal side.

Fortune Makaringe had a headed chance for United that he could only steer straight at Ngobeni as they continued to pile on the pressure with seven minutes to go. 


And there was an even better chance for Siyanda Xulu as the clock ticked towards extra-time when Ngobeni spilled the ball two yards from goal but he could only hook the ball over the bar from close range.

^ Back to Top ^