Masandawana progress to Nedbank Cup Last 16 With Win Over Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns made it through to the next round of the Nedbank Cup competition in dramatic fashion after Peter Shalulile bagged a brace and Mosa Lebusa scored once to make it a 3 – 2 victory against Richards Bay.

Masandawana opened the scoring in the opening ten minutes of the first half, Namibian international striker Shalulile received a pass from the middle of the park and struck across Riachards Bay goalie  Magoola Salim to take an early lead in the encounter.

Ntsundwana Somila of Richards Bay pushed Lesedi Kapinga to the ground when the referee awarded the home team with a free kick, Sipho Mbule took the responsibility and struck the top post of Salim. The Brazilians got back in action and went close to putting in another one as the game approached twenty minutes, Lesedi Kapinga put a long range cross to Surprise Ralani who was making his run upfront and the Kimberly born star linked with Shalulile who took a shot at goal but unfortunate to find the goal.

A surprise goal from the visitors forced Masandawana to push harder as the half hour mark approached, Denis Onyango and Sakhile Hlongwa came in contact with each other as the Brazilian goalie went to the ground to meet the in coming player and ball, but the referee called for penalty after Hlongwa fell to the ground. Natal Rich Boys pulled one back from the penalty spot, Nkanyiso Zungu struck a thunder shot at goal and put his team back in the game.

After just five minutes when the visitors equalized, Masandawana responded and got behind the backline, Ralani put a cross into the box that was met by Mbule’s header that went over the goalposts and out for goal kick. Richards Bay goalie was called into action just before the half time break, Thapelo Morena spontaneously passed the ball to Shalulile who was on target as Salim collected his shot and the game went into the break level with a goal on each side.

Masandawana came out rejuvenated after the break and immediately extended their lead through Mosa Lebusa’s header, firing past the goalkeeper when the game returned for the second half of action. Downs began to show a fight and looked for another goal, Ralani and Kapinga showed class in the middle of the park with their passes penetrating through the defense, Kapinga finally took his chance at goal but was let down by his direction of the ball as it went high up and out.

The Brazilians  leading goalscorer found the back when Sifiso Ngobeni and Kapinga spotted Shalulile in between the defenders, the striker was on target to put Downs ahead in the highly contested cup competition. The home side shortly brought Rushine De Reuck, Thabiso Kutumela and Andile Jali after their third goal when Mothobi Mvala, Shalulile and Mkhulise stepped off the field. Downs’ long time injured Rivaldo Coetzee also made an appearance when the game headed towards 80 minutes and swapped positions with Kapinga.

Kutumela was quick to adjust to the tempo of the game, the forward made his way quickly towards the defenders before he was brought down and awarded with a free kick outside the arch, Ralani put his shot straight into goal but the goalie made a save. Kutumela was back in action shortly after  the opponents played the ball but his strike was headed out by Khetha Shabalala.

Richards Bay responded well to the setback and absorbed the pressure with Katleho Makatemg firing into Onyango’s posts with one minute left before full time. The Brazilians were successful in claiming their victory and advancing into the next round with three goals to two. 

 This is how we lined up:

1. Onyango, Morena, Ngobeni, Mvala (62′ Kutumela), Lebusa, Zungu, Kapinga (78′ Coetzee), Ralani (84′ Modiba), Mkhulise (62′ De Reuck), Shalulile (62′ Jali), Mbule

Subs:

Pieterse, De Reuck, Kutumela, Jali, Mailula, Karelse, Coetzee, B. Onyango, Modiba.