Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso revealed that after Tashreeq Matthews’s early second-half red card, the team’s focus shifted to managing the game and securing the win.

Ten-man Sundowns defeated Mpheni Home Defenders 2-0 in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday. Despite playing with ten men for 43 minutes after Matthews was sent off for stamping on a Home Defenders player, Sundowns were never seriously threatened by the amateur side.

“I told the lads at halftime that they needed to take responsibility for scoring more goals,” Cardoso said on SuperSport TV after the game. “It was clear we could have done more in the first half. Then, in the second half, Matthews made a mistake and was sent off. This forced us to simply manage the game, which is what we did.”

With the win, Sundowns join Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch, Durban City, and Marumo Gallants in the quarterfinals. The draw for the next round will take place on Monday.

Cardoso, who made numerous changes to his starting lineup, giving opportunities to players who have had limited game time this season, acknowledged the stiff competition ahead. “This competition will be very tough, very strong, with very good games ahead, and we need to prepare for them,” he said.

Sundowns reached the final of the Nedbank Cup last season but lost to Pirates in the final moments of the match.