PIC: Tashreeq Matthews of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Lucky Buasi of Mpheni Home Defenders

Four-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns have earned their place in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Mpheni Home Defenders at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Sundowns were heavy favourites but were made to sweat by their opponents, especially after Tashreeq Matthews was sent off for a second bookable offence early in the second half.

Matthews had opened the scoring for Sundowns with a neat back-heel finish from a pass by the Brazilian Arthur Sales, to score his third goal of the Nedbank Cup campaign.
That leaves him one behind Tshegofatso Mabasa from Orlando Pirates in the Golden Boot race this season.

Sundowns looked to be cruising to the win when Bathusi Aubaas scored a second for them just before the half-hour mark.
That was Aubaas’ first goal for Sundowns, and first club goal of any sort since he netted for TS Galaxy in a 3-0 win over Black Leopards in January 2021.
Home Defenders made use of their numerical advantage to pour forward in attack, but could not find the back of the net.
It is the second time in three seasons they bow out at the Last 16 stage, having also lost 2-0 in 2023, on that occasion at Chippa United.
The quarter-final draw will take place on Monday as the seven confirmed teams learn their fate.

They are Sundowns, Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch FC, Marumo Gallants and second-tier Durban City.

The last place is still to be determined as Royal AM’s matches have been suspended due to severe financial problems. They must still play their Last 32 tie against second-tier Milford and the winner is due to meet Sekhukhune United in the Last 16.

The quarter-final ties are due to be played on the weekend of March 7-9.
 

NEDBANK CUP LAST 16 FIXTURES & RESULTS

Wednesday, February 12

SuperSport United 2 (Okon 36’, Maboe 119’) Cape Town Spurs 1 (Moosa 5’)
After extra-time

Thursday, February 13
Stellenbosch FC 2 (Nikani 12’og, Titus 37’) Polokwane City 0

Friday, February 14

Durban City 2 (Kamatuka 79’, Ndlovu 107’) TS Galaxy 1 (Zajmovic 49’)

After extra-time

Saturday, February 15

Orlando Pirates 3 (Mabasa 29’, 45’, 63’) Baroka FC 1 (Malivha 75’)

Marumo Gallants 1 (Zindoga 18’) AmaZulu 0

Kaizer Chiefs 3 (Sirino 13’, Miguel 77’pen, Mmodi 88’) Chippa United 0

Sunday, February 16

Mamelodi Sundowns 2 (Matthews 8’, Aubaas 27’) Mpheni Home Defenders 0

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 22

Goals Scored: 71

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)

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

2 goals – Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Inacio Miguel (Kaizer Chiefs), Therlo Moosa (Cape Town Spurs), Thokozani Sibanyoni (TS Galaxy), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)

1 goal – Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keenan Bezuidenhout (Cape Town Spurs), Ranga Chivaviro (Kaizer Chiefs), Lindokuhle Chonco (Durban City), Clyde Combi (Baroka FC), Raymond Daniels (Polokwane City), Keagan Dolly (TS Galaxy), 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), Bonginkosi Makume (Baroka FC), Sydney Malivha (Baroka FC), Tshepho Mashiloane (Baroka FC), Halatedzi Matumba (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mondli Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs), Brandon Mokgope (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mojalefa Mokhatla (Sibanye Golden Stars), Relebogile Mokhuoane (Sekhukhune 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)

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