PIC: Keanu Cupido of Mamelodi Sundowns

An illustration of the size of the task facing Sekhukhune United in their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday (kick-off 19h00) is the fact that their opponents are unbeaten in 13 home games in South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition.
That run dates back eight years to 2017, with Lamontville Golden Arrows the last team to win away outright against Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup. Abafana Bes’thende triumphed that day thanks to a lone goal from Nduduzo Sibiya.
Since then Sundowns have not lost in 120 minutes on their own patch, though they were edged on penalties by Marumo Gallants in the 2021 semifinals.

Their run includes 12 wins and that single draw with Gallants, and has seen them score 39 goals and conceded only eight. The only time they failed to score was the 2021 semifinal that ended 0-0.

What is interesting is that only five of those games have been against topflight opposition - SuperSport United (1-0, 2020), Stellenbosch FC (3-2, 2021), Orlando Pirates (4-1, 2021), Gallants (0-0, 2021) and Richards Bay (3-2, 2022).
In all, Sundowns have played 27 of their 62 Nedbank Cup ties at home (44%), with eight at neutral venues and the other 27 on the road for an even split.
They have scored 58 goals in their 27 home games (2.15 per game) and conceded 18 (0.67).
The only three teams to beat The Brazilians at home have been Platinum Stars (0-1, 2009 & 1-2, 2013), Orlando Pirates (1-2, 2014 & 0-2, 2016) and Golden Arrows.

SUNDOWNS’ UNBEATEN HOME RUN IN THE NEDBANK CUP

2018 (L16) 2-1 vs EC Bees

2020 (L32) 1-0 vs SuperSport United

2020 (L16) 2-0 vs Vaal University of Technology

2021 (L32) 3-2 vs Stellenbosch FC

2021 (L16) 4-0 vs Polokwane City

2021 (QF) 4-1 vs Orlando Pirates

2021 (SF) 0-0 vs Marumo Gallants

2022 (L16) 6-0 vs Mathaithai

2022 (QF) 5-0 vs Summerfield Dynamos

2023 (L32) 3-2 vs Richards Bay

2024 (L16) 2-0 vs Maritzburg United

2025 (L32) 5-2 vs Sibanye Golden Stars

2025 (L16) 2-0 vs Mpheni Home Defenders