It was a well deserved victory under new coach Paul Dolezar and

avenged the 1-0 defeat by Chiefs in last year's final at the same

venue.

Sundowns, who won the popular one-day event in 2000, had to

achieve their victory via a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw

after full time.

Chiefs captain Patrick Mabedi, David Radebe, Collins Mbesuma and

Patrick Mayo beat Sundowns' keeper Brian Baloyi while David

Kannemeyer could not find his way past his former keeper.

Sundowns' Ezrom Nyarundo, Rotson Kilambe, Clement Mazibuko,

Manqoba Ngwenya and Neil Winstanley all rattled the net past

Chiefs' sticksman Rowen Fernandez to give the Mamelodi-based team a

5-4 penalty victory.

Sundowns took home R400 000 while Chiefs settled for R200 000.

It was the second similar defeat for Chiefs via the same route

at the same soccer city near Soweto. They were beaten 4-3 by AS

Vita Club from the DR Congo in the final of the Vodacom Challenge

Cup three weeks' ago.

The game on Saturday started at a slow pace with both clubs

painstakingly taking their time before committing themselves. That

did not go down well with the spectators, who were forced to wait

for 30 minutes for kick-off which was supposed to be at

4.30pm.

The atmosphere was tense and the noise from the estimated 85 000

fans who crammed the 70 000 seater venue was deafening.

However, Sundowns had a slight upperhand paying numerous visits

to Chiefs backyard but were unable to take advantage of the

proceedings.

Amakhosi, who claimed last year's trophy after beating Sundowns

1-0 at the same venue, had their moments although only a few of

their attacks reached Sundowns' area.

Even those that went through found Baloyi equal to the task. He

widened his net to deny his former club a single goal.

Chiefs were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box and

John "Shoes" Mosheou, who won the Match of the Match honours for

his sterling role in Chiefs' 2-0 victory against Black Leopards in

the semifinal, riffled a shot. Baloyi, however, was more than

equal to the task.

A few attempts were made at the beginning of the second stanza to

try and break the deadlock but none were successful.

Chiefs made a double substitution bringing on Simphiwe Mbambo

for Junior Khanye and Thabo Mooki for David Mathebula.

Neither Baloyi nor Chiefs 'keeper Fernandez were tested. Chiefs

made another change introducing Mayo for striker Kabamba Musasa in

the 67th minute.

Downs' Paulos Masehe was yellow-carded in the 74th minute and

coach Paul Dolezar replaced him with Kilambe a minute later. He

also introduced Ngwenya for Surprise Moriri in the 81st minute.

In what appeared to be a comedy of errors on the side of Chiefs

Mbambo, who came on for Khanye in the 54th minute, was replaced by

Radebe towards the end.

The change did not produce the desired result and Ncobo blew his

whistle confirming a stale-mate after regulation time.

It was then that the final had to be decided by penalties - a

fair reflection of the balanced and lacklustre game.

Orlando Pirates, who were eliminated by Sundowns 1-0 in the semifinal, and Black Leopards were given R100 000 for their appearance.