Thembinkosi Lorch fires Sundowns into Nedbank Cup quarter-finals
Thembinkosi Lorch netted two late goals against Maritzburg United to fire Mamelodi Sundowns into the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on Sunday evening.
Lorch scored his second goal in Sundowns colours since joining the club from rivals Orlando Pirates during the January transfer window. ‘Nyoso’ scored his first goal against FC Nouadhibou in the CAF Champions League.
The Brazilians welcomed Maritzburg United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium looking to book a spot in the Nedbank Cup last eight.
Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena made five changes from the team that started in the 1-1 draw against SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday. Dennis Onyango, Khuliso Mudau, Mosa Lebusa, Bathusi Aubaas, and Lebogang Maboe made up the five changes made by Masandawana.
Interestingly, Sundowns had the 18-year-old Kutlwano Letlhaku starting from the bench after an impressive run of 15 goal contributions in the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side. Letlhaku joined Sundowns in July 2023 from the School of Excellence.
The match was halted in the early stages of the first half due to lightning being close to the stadium. The weather conditions were eventually deemed safe and the match resumed an hour later.
Sundowns dominated the ball position in the first 45 minutes of the match but failed to create goal-scoring opportunities.
The Tshwane-based side went into the half-time break deadlocked on a 0-0 scoreline with the Team of Choice.
SUNDOWNS CLAIM VICTORY AGAINST MARITZBURG UNITED
Kabo Yellow came into the second stanza of the match with a high intensity, looking to find an opening goal of the match.
They came close to finding the back of the net in the 56th minute through Matias Esquivel but his tame shot fell into the hands of Maritzburg United goalkeeper.
With Sundowns desperate for a goal, they brought in Namibian talisman Peter Shalulile to replace Esquivel in the 62nd minute.
Thembinkosi Lorch scored the important goal for Sundowns in the 74th minute to give Sundowns a 1-0 lead. Lorch completed his brace after scoring a second goal of the match for Sundowns in the 95th minute.
Sundowns held on to beat the Motsepe Foundation Championship side Maritzburg United 2-0 to seal a place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
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