PIC: Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile

Mamelodi Sundowns booked their ticket to the Nedbank Cup semifinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in their quarterfinal clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday.
Sundowns will meet Kaizer Chiefs in the last-4, with the other semifinal between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants. Those matches are scheduled for the weekend of April 12-13.
The winning goal finally arrived for the Tshwane side on 119 minutes as the game seemed destined for penalty-kicks.
What a 10 days it has been for scorer Jayden Adams. Two goals in two Bafana Bafana World Cup qualifiers and now a winner in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.

He reacted quickest to a scramble in the box after Thapelo Morena’s shot from a few yards out hit the post and Adams bundled the ball over the line.

That is a third goal for The Brazilians for midfielder since he signed for Sundowns in January from Stellenbosch FC. Add his two goals for Bafana in the World Cup qualifiers and he is turning into a real goal-scoring threat.

Sundowns missed several excellent chances that you would expect them to score. They found themselves with just the keeper to beat on several occasions, but some wayward finishing and outstanding saves from Sekhukhune goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner kept them scoreless for almost 120 minutes.

Leaner had not started a game for Sekhukhune since March 2024, but was handed his chance in this Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.
He pulled off some stunning saves. Now 27, he has only made 34 starts in his entire career, but this must be arguably his best performance.

NEDBANK CUP QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS

Saturday, March 8

SuperSport United 2 (Dzvukamanja 43’, Moralo 90’) Orlando Pirates 2 (Mbokazi 29’, Makgopa 45’)
After extra-rime; Pirates won 5-4 on pens

Stellenbosch FC 1 (De Jong 87’) Kaizer Chiefs 3 (Miguel 20’pen, Mmodi 90’, Vilakazi 90’)

Sunday, March 9

Durban City 0 Marumo Gallants 0

After extra-rime; Gallants won 4-1 on pens

Friday, March 28

Mamelodi Sundowns 1 (Adams 119’) Sekhukhune United 0

After extra-rime

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 27

Goals Scored: 83

Biggest Victory: TS Galaxy 7 CR Vasco Da Gama 0 (Last 32, January 29)

Most Goals in a Game: 7 – Mamelodi Sundowns 5 Sibanye Golden Stars 2 (Last 32, January 25); TS Galaxy 7 CR Vasco Da Gama 0 (Last 32, January 29)

GOALSCORERS

4 goals – Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs)

3 goals – Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Inacio Miguel (Kaizer Chiefs), Sandile Mthethwa (AmaZulu), Dzenan Zajmovic (TS Galaxy)

2 goals – Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Linda Mntambo (Sekhukhune United), Therlo Moosa (Cape Town Spurs), Thokozani Sibanyoni (TS Galaxy), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)

1 goal – Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keenan Bezuidenhout (Cape Town Spurs), Menzi Chili (Milford FC), Ranga Chivaviro (Kaizer Chiefs), Lindokuhle Chonco (Durban City), Clyde Combi (Baroka FC), Raymond Daniels (Polokwane City), Andre De Jong (Stellenbosch FC), Keagan Dolly (TS Galaxy), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Rophney Hlungwane (Mpheni Home Defenders), Etiosa Ighodaro (AmaZulu), Joslin Kamatuka (Durban City), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kobamelo Kodisang (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Lebohang Maboe (SuperSport United), Awonke Mahlabela (Mighty Eagles), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Bonginkosi Makume (Baroka FC), Sydney Malivha (Baroka FC), Tshepho Mashiloane (Baroka FC), Halatedzi Matumba (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mondli Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs), Brandon Mokgope (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mojalefa Mokhatla (Sibanye Golden Stars), Relebogile Mokhuoane (Sekhukhune United), Gape Moralo (SuperSport United), Jarrod Moroole (Cape Town Spurs), Monde Mphambaniso (Marumo Gallants), Marks Munyai (TS Galaxy), Rotonswa Mutsivhuli (Venda FC), Kagiso Ndlovu (Hungry Lions), Senzo Ndlovu (Durban City), Siphamandla Nzuza (Durban City), Ime Okon (SuperSport United), Onyedikachi Ononogbu (Kruger United), Katlego Otladisa (Sekhukhune United), Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch FC), Vincent Pule (SuperSport United), Boeletsang Rankali (Sibanye Golden Stars), Christian Saile (SuperSport United), Arthur Sales (Mamelodi Sundowns), Damir Sovsic (TS Galaxy), Brandon Theron (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs)

Own goals – Bulelani Nikani (Polokwane City), Brandon Theron (Lamontville Golden Arrows)