PIC: Kholofelo Monama celebrates his winner against SuperSport United

The Nedbank Cup has a reputation for shock results and there was another one to add to the growing list after ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars rallied from behind to defeat three-time winners SuperSport United 2-1 in a Tshwane Derby at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
It is a win that will go down alongside Baroka FC, Maluti FET College, ALS Puk Tuwana and Vaal University of Technology’s giant-killing acts of the past and is comparable with all of those against a team having a fine season and that currently occupying second spot in the DStv Premiership. 

SuperSport were forced to field a makeshift side with a number of injury concerns, especially in defence where striker Thamsanqa Gabuza was used as an emergency centre-back.

But Matsatsantsa took the lead via fullback Siyabonga Nhlapo on 18 minutes and then created a number of opportunities to double their advantage that were spurned.

Applause should also go to Stars goalkeeper Sphamandla Gumede for his excellent display against the club where he was a junior and won the 2018 Engen Champ of Champs Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Stars came out firing in the second half and drew level as a swift break led to a chance for Relebogile Molefe, the striker scoring at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Ricardo Goss.

Stars then appeared to be the most likely to score next and their attacking mindset was rewarded when skipper Kholofelo Monama saw his effort deflected into the back of the net.

SuperSport were on the front foot after that but a mixture of poor finishing and excellent saves from Gumede saw then slip to a Last 32 defeat, the first time ever they have lost to amateur opponents.

There was no such luck for fourth-tier Liver Brothers as they lost 6-0 to topflight Sekhukhune United, though three of those goals came in the final 10 minutes.

Zambia international Rodrick Kabwe put United in front before Daniel Cardoso doubled the advantage to effectively end the contest after 36 minutes.

Liver Brothers did not offer nearly enough as an attacking force to suggest they could work their way back into the game.

Nigerian Chibuike Ohizu added the third from the penalty-spot early in the second period, before Vusimuzi Mncube (two) and Tashreeq Morris added further goals. The amateur side were not helped by a red card for Tonny Khosa.
It is the first time that United have advanced past the Last 32 at the third attempt.

2023 NEDBANK CUP LAST 32 FIXTURES/RESULTS

February 7, 2023
Mamelodi Sundowns 3 (Shalulile 11’, 55’, Lebusa 46’) Richards Bay 2 (Zungu 30’pen, Makateng 90’)

Marumo Gallants 3 (Koapeng 27’pen, Moseamedi 45’, Thangwane 45’) Magesi FC 1 (Selemela 59’)

February 8, 2023
SuperSport United 1 (Nhlapo 18’) Dondol Stars 2 (Molefe 51’, Monama 76’)

Sekhukhune United 6 (Kabwe 13’, Cardoso 36’, Ohizo 53’pen, Mncube 80’, 85’, Morris 90’) Liver Brothers 0

February 10, 2023
15h00: Cape Town Spurs vs Baroka FC – Athlone Stadium

19h30: Maritzburg United vs Kaizer Chiefs – Harry Gwala Stadium

February 11, 2023
15h00: FC Blackcross vs Venda Football Academy – Dr Molemela Stadium

15h00: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Pretoria Callies – Princess Magogo Stadium 
15h00: Mpheni Home Defenders vs Clarewood JPM – Thohoyandou Stadium
15h00: Stellenbosch FC vs Swallows FC – Athlone Stadium
20h00: All Stars vs Orlando Pirates – Wits Football Stadium

February 12, 2023
15h00: AmaZulu vs Tornado FC – King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium

15h00: Mkhambathi FC vs Casric Stars – Harry Gwala Stadium

15h00: TS Galaxy vs Amavarara – Wits Football Stadium

18h00: Cape Town City vs Royal AM – Cape Town Stadium

February 14, 2023

19h30: Polokwane City vs Chippa United – Old Peter Mokaba Stadium  

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 4

Goals Scored: 18

Biggest Victory: Sekhukhune United 6 Liver Brothers 0 (February 8, Last 32)

Most Goals in a Game: 6 – Sekhukhune United 6 Liver Brothers 0 (February 8, Last 32)

GOALSCORERS 

2 goals – Vusimuzi Mncube (Sekhukhune United), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)

1 – Daniel Cardoso (Sekhukhune United), Rodrick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United), Letsie Koapeng (Marumo Gallants), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Katleho Makateng (Richards Bay), Relebogile Molefe (Dondol Stars), Kholofelo Monama (Dondol Stars), Tashreeq Morris (Sekhukhune United), Judas Moseamedi (Marumo Gallants), Siyabonga Nhlapo (SuperSport United), Chibuike Ohizu (Sekhukhune United), Kagiso Selemela (Magesi FC), Tebogo Thangwane (Marumo Gallants), Nkanyiso Zungu (Richards Bay)