Masandawana Advance To Nedbank Cup Last 8

Mamelodi Sundowns produced a fantastic display on Tuesday evening to beat Mathaithai FC 6 – 0 in their Nedbank Cup last 16 match.

Two early goals from Surprise Ralani and Themba Zwane secured The Brazilians lead in the keenly contested first half of the battle. With less than five minutes on the clock, Bafana Ba Style took charge of the game through Ralani’s opening tap in, the newly signed attacker scored his second goal in the Ke Yona competition. The visitors’ nightmares continued with Ralani who was hard at work upfront, passing the ball in the box, a strike from Mshishi followed and went past goalkeeper Mbali Tshabala.

Moeketsi Sephiri of Mathaithai crested the first scoring opportunity for his team after winning the ball from the defenders, however Downs goalie, Reyaad Pieterse comfortably made a save from the attempt. Much of the play continued down the left flank, where the impressive Aubrey Modiba distributed balls into the box to help the attackers in creating more goal scoring opportunities.

Modiba combined well on the left of the visitors’ box, with the Limpopo born star then squeezing a low cross into the box where Ralani and Mshishi were making runs to meet the ball, however their efforts saw the ball go past Tshabalala’s goalposts. Masandawana were utterly in control throughout the battle, Neo Maema also had a chance to take a shot at goal and extend the lead for the Tshwane giants, but let down by his final touch the 26-year-old continued in search of goals in the evening’s encounter.

The Brazilians went into the first half break with two goals while their opponents hardly provided any threats to their lead. Masandawana continued with more eager and began the second-half sharper and more dominant than the first, looking for the third goal that would allow much needed breathing space.

Downs center half, Rushine De Reuck was involved in the goalscoring action before being called off the field, the defender headed for goal but his attempt was cleared by the goalposts. Zwane, Mkhulise, De Reuck, Ralani and Grant Kekana made their way out for Kermit Erasmus, Brian Onyango, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Andile Jali and Lebohang Maboe.

The champions shifted through the gears, Thabiso kutumela added two more goals to the lead and the score line moved to 4 – 0 with celebrations coming from on and off the field. With 80 minutes played, the visitors’ had a golden opportunity to put one in, a set piece just outside the box could’ve caused an upset for The Brazilians, however the shot at goal was well defended by Masandawana.

There was still work to be done by the Premier Soccer League champions, a brilliant pass from Maema to Maboe in counter attack set the stage for Lebo as he scored his first goal upon his return after a lengthy injury. Mathaithai weren’t able to fight back with The Brazilians overpowering them in attack, Andile Jali also added his name on the score sheet with a fourth with a spectacular long range strike that beat Tshabala off his line. 

Shortly after celebrating their sixth goal, the referee blew the whistle for the last time and Masandawana advanced to the next round of the Nedbank Cup knockout competition.

This is how we lined up:

Pieterse, R. De Reuck (56′ Vilakazi), M. Mvala, G. Kekana (68′ Maboe), D. Lunga, A. Modiba, S. Mkhulise (56′ Onyango), N. Maema, B. Ralani (68′ Jali), T. Zwane © (56′ Kermit), T. Kutumela.

Goss, B. Onyango, P. Maraisane, A. Jali, T. Morena, P. Mkhuma, S. Vilakazi, L. Maboe, K. Erasmus