Nedbank Cup: A Scintilating 6 for Mamelodi Sundowns, Masandawana Could Not Be Tied Down by Mathaithai FC

• Mamelodi Sundowns marched on to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup as they beat Mathaithai FC
• Mamelodi Sundowns could have won the match by a bigger margin but failed to score many chances
• Mathaithai FC were beaten thoroughly by Mamelodi Sundowns but gave a good account of themselves during the game

Mamelodi Sundowns brushed aside Mathaithai FC, 6-0, but the score could have been much higher had Sundowns taken their chances.

In a game that Sports Brief monitored, Sundowns started on the front foot from the first minute, as they scored in the second minute of the game.

Aubrey Modiba sprinted down the right flank and got a cross into the box which Surprise Ralani got onto the end off. Ralani’s shot was originally pushed away by Mathaithai FC keeper, Mbali Tshabalala. The ball flew back towards Ralani who fired it into the back of the net.

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Football

Two minutes later, Sundowns were two up as Modiba and Ralani combined once again. Modiba found Ralani who then found Themba Zwane. Zwane put away his chance and Sundowns were up 2-0 within four minutes.

The rest of the half didn’t go as planned for Masandawana. Sundowns were guilty of not putting away their numerous chances, and co-coach Rulani Mokwena, could not hide his frustration with his side. In the first half alone, Ralani could have scored a hattrick.

Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela appeared to have got their message across during the halftime break as Sundowns showed a different side in the second half.

Thabiso Kutumela, who led the line in place of Peter Shalulile, scored twice in six minutes to give Sundowns a 4-0 lead.

Kutumela’s first came on the 66th minute when he bundled in the ball from close range. His second came in the 72nd minute when he rounded the keeper and calmly slotted away.

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Mathaithai FC did have their chances and had their first freekick in the 83rd minute. Sadly Sundowns counter-attacked them from the set-piece and Lebohang Maboe smartly chipped the keeper from outside the box.

At 5-0 up, Sundowns didn’t rest on their laurels and Andile Jali wrapped up the game in the 88th minute. Jali also fired a shot in from outside the box and Tshabalala could not read the flight of the ball, and it escaped his grasp and into the nack of the net.

Sundowns ran out 6-0 winners, a far cry from what the score could have been.

Mamelodi Sundowns host Mathaithai FC in the Nedbank Cup, underdogs look to cause upset against Masandawana

In other news related to the Brazilians, Sports Brief earlier focused on their upcoming fixture. The Nedbank Cup is known as a giant-killing competition, and Mathaithai FC will hope that is the case when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns.

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The reigning DStv Premiership champions, Sundowns, will host Mathaithai FC in the Nedbank Cup’s round of 16 fixture. Mathaithai FC currently plays in the third tier of South African football, as they competed in the ABC Motsepe League, in the Free State division.

Mathaithai FC are third on the table, one place above former DStv Premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic. Sundowns made their way into the round of 16 by beating Richards Bay FC, 4-0, while Mathaithai FC beating fellow lower division side, NC Professionals, 2-0.