Sundowns Survive Gomora Scare To Reach Nedbank Cup Last 16

Mamelodi Sundowns were given a scare but ultimately did enough to overcome Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United, securing a 2-1 win in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

It was far from a comfortable evening for the Tshwane giants, who only found their rhythm late on as Thapelo Morena ghosted in at the back post to settle the contest and book a place in the Round of 16.

After making a raft of changes to their line-up, Sundowns endured a frustrating opening period and were repeatedly denied by Gomora United goalkeeper Sidingo Nxumalo, who produced a series of impressive saves, including a crucial stop to keep out Kutlwano Letlhaku 10 minutes before halftime.

Earlier, Katlego Ntsabeleng had come agonisingly close when he cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike that crashed off the upright, leaving Nxumalo sprawled and beaten.

Peter Shalulile eventually broke the deadlock in the 41st minute to end Sundowns’ frustration. Letlhaku beat his marker before cutting the ball back for the Namibian international, who fired into the roof of the net.

However, in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Sundowns were left stunned when Malibongwe Khoza was caught in possession while attempting a back pass. He was muscled off the ball by Mpho Maoke, who calmly slotted past Reyard Pieterse at the near post to level matters. It proved to be the final action of the half.

Elsewhere in the competition, defending champions Kaizer Chiefs were on the brink of an upset after Stellenbosch scored twice early in the first half at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. Sundowns, however, ensured there would be no such shock in Pretoria.

Before the start of the second half, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso introduced fresh legs, bringing on Arthur Sales and Morena in place of Bathusi Aubaas and Ntsabeleng.

Just after the hour mark, Cardoso made another change, introducing Tashreeq Matthews and withdrawing Letlhaku. Almost immediately, the substitution paid off as Morena found space behind the defence, ghosting in at the back post to meet Jayden Adams’ superb pass and power the ball past Nxumalo to restore Sundowns’ lead.

Sundowns were eliminated at the semi-final stage of the competition last season by the eventual champions Chiefs, and they will be eager to go one step further this time around.