Played in an excitable atmosphere in a pulsating Lucas Moripe Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns managed to come out victorious in what was a a rollercoaster of a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal clash against the University of Pretoria FC on Friday evening.
To determine who would be advancing to the semifinals, the nerve-wrecking yet entertaining quarterfinal round had to be settled on spot kicks, following a 1-1 draw by the end of extra time. It is through those penalty kicks that the Chloorkop-based side came out victorious to advance to the next round.
It was the hosts who took the first opportunity to break the deadlock but could not capitalise as it went wide. However, the home side produced more shots and dominated possession. From set, it was evident that the game was going to have highs and lows and the first high came from the Brazilians when they broke the deadlock through Lucas Ribeiro’s left-footed shot on the 8th minute. The well executed goal was produced from Themba Zwane’s backheel pass to find Neo Maema but was cleared away. Fortunately, Ribeiro’s pressing saw him regain the ball and shot it straight to the net to put his side in the lead.
A few more chances to threaten a very tight Tuks rearguard were produced, as they found their rhythm and pace, but nothing came out of those chances.
Of course, the students tried to gain control of the game but Coach Rulani’s charges resisted as they made a few important clearances. The situation, however, quickly became complicated when AmaTuks levelled matters on the 33rd minute.
Before the first half was concluded, Teboho Mokoena unleashed a set piece shot that sent the Tuks goalkeeper flying to smack the ball away to deny Masandawana a second goal.
The second stanza produced no goals from the two Pretoria-based sides, even with the many chances that were created. As the Brazilians created plenty opportunities, the Tuks defence squad were at work, defending every ball that seemed to be heading to their box.
As the game went to extra time, Masandawana started to feel the pressure and were eager to not take the game to penalty shots. There were three opportunities before the extra time was concluded, that could have put Sundowns in the lead. The first one came from Mokoena who took a shot on the edge of the area but the ball rolled away from the post. The second one came from Bathusi Aubaas’ long range shot which viciously swerved in the air but got cleared by the goalkeeper. Thembinkosi Lorch’s last gasp attempt was the third opportunity which was so close to winning it for Coach Rulani’s men.
Ultimately, the winner was decided through penalties where Bafana Ba Style won 4-3, all thanks to Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro, Mothobi Mvala and Peter Shlaulile who shot the decider. Masandawana have now advanced to the last four and will soon learn who their semifinal opponent is.
This is how we lined up: Williams, Kekana, Modiba, Mvala, Aubaas, Mokoena, Maema, Allende, Zwane ©, Morena, Ribeiro.
Subs: D. Onyango, B. Onyango, Nkosi, Esquivel, Mabena, Lorch, Sirino, Shalulile.
Coach we all see that your favourites are very tired but you keep on fielding them in the next games then you cry about fatigue in the post match interview,I repeat in our DDC team you can unleash good strikers for this remaining games but you dwell on the past experience it’s not only Mabena whom is good on that team but few of them just swallow your pride and recall them and next season I think we must stop this thing of competing in every trophy that’s on offer it’s draining our players let’s only consider big fish which is Dstv league,Afl and the Champs League.lastly kanti on your practices what do you teach Maseko because the boy is pathetic he does same mistakes in all his matches even Mabena is far better than him.
I’m not a sangoma but this Stellenbosch team is very dangerous they can win the Nedbank if not Bucs,thina We are “fatigued “we won’t cope with this running team and maybe our first league loss we can get from them but I stand to be proved wrong by my team who knows.
I fully concur with you Muzi. From the teams that are left I’m praying for the winner between TS Galaxy/Chippa Utd. We don’t stand a chance against Pirates or Stellenbosch, even our imposter Rulani knows that very well. I also don’t see us winning the Champions League, we’ll just have to be content with the league, and I don’t know how it’ll seat with the management. Management must just swallow their pride and go get Gamondi back or swap the imposter with Manqoba.