Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the Nedbank Cup Last 16 after a hard-fought 2-1 win against second-tier side Gomora United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, on Wednesday evening.
Peter Shalulile and Thapelo Morena scored for the home side, while Mpho Maoke scored for the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit.
Sundowns made a few changes to their starting line-up with Reyaad Pieterse preferred in goals. It was also his first start for the club since October 2023.
Veteran midfielder Themba Zwane also returned to the starting line-up with young defender Malibongwe Khoza pairing with Grant Kekana at the centre of defence.
MASANDAWANA SHOW DOMINANCE AS THEY BEAT GOMORA UNITED AT LOFTUS
The host had a few attempts at goal early in the first half but didn’t pose any threat to Gomora. The first real chance of the match came in the 22nd minute when Kutlwano Lethlaku unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box but was denied by the upright.
Five minute later, Peter Shalulile missed an opportunity to convert from a Bathusi Aubaas cross. Shalulile again couldn’t convert two minutes later after a cross from the right hand side.
Gomora goalkeeper Sidingo Nxumalo was forced to make a brilliant save to deny Lethlaku from inside the 18-area with 10 minutes before the half-time break. Nxumalo produced another brilliant save two minutes later, this time to deny Sphelele Mkhulise’s shot from inside the box.
Shalulile once again failed to capitalise from a loose ball inside the 18-area box with five minutes before the break.
PETER SHALULILE AND THAPELO MORENA GOALS SECURE WIN FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
However, the Namibian international finally broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after converting from a Lethlaku cross.
But the visitors found an equaliser during the referees’ optional time after Mpho Maoke capitalised on a mistake by Malibongwe Khoza to beat Reyaad Pieterse to take them to 1-1 going into the half-time break.
The home side made a few changes coming into the second half bringing in Thapelo Morena and Arthur Sales for Katlego Ntsaneleng and Bathusi Aubaas.
It didn’t take long for the two subs to make an impact with Masandawana regaining their lead via a Morena header who converted from a Jayden Adams cross.
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