PIC: Peter Shalulile

Peter Shalulile became the most prolific goalscorer in Nedbank Cup history when he netted a hattrick to lead Mamelodi Sundowns to a 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants in their Last 16 clash at the Free State Stadium on Thursday.
Shalulile took his career tally in the Nedbank Cup to 14, moving three ahead of former teammate Hlompho Kekana on the all-time scorers list as the defending champions eased into the quarterfinals in front of a vibrant crowd in Bloemfontein. 
Shalulile scored three Nedbank Cup goals for Highlands Park and now has 11 for Sundowns, all of them since 2020 in a remarkable run of form in South Africa’s premier knockout competition.   
The victory also extends to 16 Sundowns’ unbeaten run in the Nedbank Cup (W15 D1) as they defeat the side who they beat 2-1 in last year’s final, and who ousted them on penalties in the 2021 semifinals.
Shalulile opened the scoring on eight minutes with a neat bit of control after a cross into the box and easily beat Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi from close range.
His second midway through the first half came as he netted from a rebound after Themba Zwane’s chipped effort on goal was pushed into the Namibia international’s path by Arubi.
Gallants came back into the game when Boitumelo Pheko halved the deficit just past the half-hour mark, and they created a number of other promising opportunities to score.
But Shalulile completed his hattrick with 16 minutes left on the clock as he turned home a free-kick for the first ‘treble’ in the Nedbank Cup since Tashreeq Morris scored three goals for Cape Town City against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Last 32 in 2021.
The match was brought forward to Thursday as both Sundowns and Gallants will be involved in CAF club competition next week, but the remaining seven games in the Last 16 will be staged from March 8-12. 
  

2023 NEDBANK CUP LAST 16 FIXTURES/RESULTS

March 2
Marumo Gallants 1 (Pheko 33’) Mamelodi Sundowns 3 (Shalulile 8’, 25’, 74’)

March 8
19h30: Dondol Stars vs AmaZulu – TUT Stadium

March 10
19h30: Sekhukhune United vs Cape Town Spurs – Peter Mokaba Stadium

March 11
15h00: Chippa United vs Mpheni Home Defenders – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

15h00: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs Royal AM – Princess Magogo Stadium

20h00: Orlando Pirates vs Venda Football Academy – Orlando Stadium

March 12
15h00: TS Galaxy vs Stellenbosch FC – Mbombela Stadium 

18h00: Kaizer Chiefs vs Casric Stars – FNB Stadium

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 17

Goals Scored: 54

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 

5 goals – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)

2 – Rhulani Manzini (Venda Football Academy), Vusimuzi Mncube (Sekhukhune United), Kgomotso Mosadi (Casric Stars), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)

1 – Mumuni Abubakar (Casric Stars), Francis Baloyi (Polokwane City), Chumani Butsaka (Cape Town Spurs), Daniel Cardoso (Sekhukhune United), Ashley du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Dubula (Pretoria Callies), Kenneth Dupane (Tornado FC), Michael Gumede (AmaZulu), Rodrick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United), Mario Katz (Tornado FC), Letsie Koapeng (Marumo Gallants), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Sphiwe Mahlangu (TS Galaxy), Bonginkosi Makanya (Mpheni Home Defenders), Katleho Makateng (Richards Bay), Nkosephayo Mavundla (Mpheni Home Defenders), Gabadinho Mhango (AmaZulu), Relebogile Molefe (Dondol Stars), Kholofelo Monama (Dondol Stars), Therlo Moosa (Cape Town Spurs), Tashreeq Morris (Sekhukhune United), Judas Moseamedi (Marumo Gallants), Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Siyabonga Nhlapo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Nkosi (Casric Stars), Bongo Ntuli (AmaZulu), Chibuike Ohizu (Sekhukhune United), Boitumelo Pheko (Marumo Gallants), Masilake Phohlongo (TS Galaxy), Colin Ryan (Cape Town Spurs), Christian Saile (Kaizer Chiefs), Monnapule Saleng  (Orlando Pirates), Kagiso Selemela (Magesi FC), Nkateko Shilenge (Mpheni Home Defenders), Vusi Sibiya (Stellenbosch FC), Theko Thakho (FC Blackcross), Tebogo Thangwane (Marumo Gallants), Nkanyiso Zungu (Richards Bay)
Own goal – Kamogelo Mogaswa (Pretoria Callies), Bulelani Nikani (Polokwane City)