Sundowns Join Chiefs, Pirates In Nedbank Cup Quarterfinals After 2-0 Win

Nedbank Cup organizers must be pleased as Mamelodi Sundowns joined Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the quarterfinals after their win against Mpheni Home Defenders at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Ten-man Sundowns brushed aside Home Defenders with a 2-0 victory in the Nedbank Cup round of 16. Despite playing with ten men for 43 minutes after Tashreeq Matthews’s red card, they were never truly threatened by the amateur side.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made significant changes to his starting lineup, giving opportunities to players who have had limited game time this season. It was a vastly different side from the one that lost to TS Galaxy midweek in the league at Mbombela Stadium, with Matthews the only player to retain his starting position.

Arthur Sales led the attack and nearly gave Sundowns an early lead when he was through on goal, but his shot went wide. However, Sundowns didn’t have to wait long to celebrate, as the opening goal came in the eighth minute. Sales’s first touch set him up perfectly, creating space for a cross to Matthews, whose backheel shot deflected slightly past Mpheni Home Defenders goalkeeper Buhle Thompson.

The African giants doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Bathusi Aubaas volleyed home after a short corner was recycled. The Bafana Bafana international finished from the edge of the box after being set up by Mosa Lebusa.

Just before halftime, Sundowns almost gifted Home Defenders a goal when Aubaas’s pass toward Denis Onyango was intercepted, and Lucky Buasi’s shot crashed against the crossbar.

Two minutes into the second half, Sundowns’ comfortable position was compromised when Matthews, who had scored the opening goal, was sent off. Fortunately, Matthews is an attacker, meaning Sundowns didn’t need to make immediate tactical changes. However, it still forced them to reshuffle to maintain balance.

These changes came in the 64th minute, when Matias Esquivel, Sales, and Terrence Mashego were replaced by Jayden Adams, Keanu Cupido, and Peter Shalulile. To further solidify their defense, with ten minutes remaining, Sundowns substituted Kobamelo Kodisang and Sphelele Mkhulise for Kegan Johannes and Teboho Mokoena. This was enough to see Sundowns, who lost in the final of this competition last season, comfortably through to the next round.

Sundowns now joins Pirates, Chiefs, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch, Durban City, and Marumo Gallants in the quarterfinals. The draw will take place on Monday. However, the match between Royal AM/Milford FC and Sekhukhune United, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed until further notice.