PIC: Junior Mendieta (right) of Stellenbosch FC is challenged by Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns

Holders Mamelodi Sundowns have been dumped out of the Nedbank Cup at the quarterfinal stage after a 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town on Saturday, while Orlando Pirates needed penalties to see off third-tier Dondol Stars.
Sundowns saw their 16-game unbeaten run in the Nedbank Cup, which dated back to 2019 come to an end despite taking the lead at the Athlone Stadium.
Stellenbosch reach the semifinals for the first time in their history as the profited from two uncharacteristic errors from the visitors.

Sundowns took the lead in fortuitous fashion when Aubrey Modiba crashed a shot against the crossbar and the ball bounced onto the foot of Sundowns goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt and in to the goal.
But Sundowns were the architects of their own downfall after that as two errors gifted Stellenbosch goals.

A poor back-pass allowed Iqraam Rayners to race clear and he easily rounded Denis Onyango in the visitors’ goal to score.
More poor passing from Sundowns at the back put Rayners in again and this time his deft chip had the beating of Onyango as he scored his sixth goal in three games in this year’s Nedbank Cup.

It is also now 11 goals in nine games since he rejoined Stellies from SuperSport United in January.
Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars took mighty Orlando Pirates all the way in their quarterfinal, losing 5-4 on penalties after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Stars were within a whisker of yet another giant-killing act having already seen off SuperSport United and AmaZulu in this year’s competition. They failed to become the first ever lower league side to beat three Premiership teams in a single Nedbank Cup season.
Pirates took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through Thembinkosi Lorch, who netted his third goal of the competition, but that joy was short-lived.
Former Jomo Cosmos and Mthatha Bucks midfielder Tebogo Makungo equalized for Stars, who took the game to extra-time and penalties.
Both teams scored their first four spot-kicks, before the unfortunate Whitehead Nameka missed to allow Sandile Mthethwa to win the tie for The Buccaneers.
Pirates reach their first Nedbank Cup semifinal since 2017.   

2023 NEDBANK CUP QUARTERFINAL FIXTURES/RESULTS

April 15

Dondol Stars 1 (Mukungo 57’) Orlando Pirates 1 (Lorch 55’)
After extra-time; Pirates won 5-4 on penalties

Stellenbosch FC 2 (Rayners 48’, 57’) Mamelodi Sundowns 1 (Langeveldt 39’og)

 
April 16
15h00: Chippa United vs Sekhukhune United – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

18h00: Royal AM vs Kaizer Chiefs – Chatsworth Stadium

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 26

Goals Scored: 84

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

Most Goals in a Game: 9 – TS Galaxy 3 Stellenbosch FC 6 (March 12, Last 16)

GOALSCORERS 

6 goals – Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)

5 – Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns)

3 – Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Kgomotso Mosadi (Casric Stars)

2 – Ashley du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs), Rodrick Kabwe (Sekhukhune United), Rhulani Manzini (Venda Football Academy), Levy Mashiane (Royal AM), Vusimuzi Mncube (Sekhukhune United), Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Masilake Phohlongo (TS Galaxy)

1 – Mumuni Abubakar (Casric Stars), Diego Appollis (Chippa United), Francis Baloyi (Polokwane City), Caleb Bimenyimana (Kaizer Chiefs), Chumani Butsaka (Cape Town Spurs), Daniel Cardoso (Sekhukhune United), Edmore Chirambadare (Venda Football Academy), Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch FC), Siyabonga Dubula (Pretoria Callies), Kenneth Dupane (Tornado FC), Pule Ekstein (AmaZulu), Kermit Erasmus (Orlando Pirates), Revaldo Fox (Dondol Stars), Michael Gumede (AmaZulu), Ibraheem Jabaar (Stellenbosch FC), Mario Katz (Tornado FC), Letsie Koapeng (Marumo Gallants), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Victor Letsoalo (Sekhukhune United), Sphiwe Mahlangu (TS Galaxy), Bonginkosi Makanya (Mpheni Home Defenders), Katleho Makateng (Richards Bay), Nkosephayo Mavundla (Mpheni Home Defenders), Tebogo Makungo (Dondol Stars), Yaimil Medina (TS Galaxy), Junior Mendieta (Stellenbosch FC), Gabadinho Mhango (AmaZulu), Relebogile Molefe (Dondol Stars), Kholofelo Monama (Dondol Stars), Therlo Moosa (Cape Town Spurs), Tashreeq Morris (Sekhukhune United), Judas Moseamedi (Marumo Gallants), Ricardo Nascimento (Royal AM), Siyabonga Nhlapo (SuperSport United), Siyabonga Nkosi (Casric Stars), Bongo Ntuli (AmaZulu), Chibuike Ohizu (Sekhukhune United), Ronald Pfumbidzai (Chippa United), Boitumelo Pheko (Marumo Gallants), Colin Ryan (Cape Town Spurs), Christian Saile (Kaizer Chiefs), Monnapule Saleng  (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (TS Galaxy), Kagiso Selemela (Magesi FC), Nkateko Shilenge (Mpheni Home Defenders), Vusi Sibiya (Stellenbosch FC), Theko Thakho (FC Blackcross), Tebogo Thangwane (Marumo Gallants), Devon Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Nkanyiso Zungu (Richards Bay)
Own goals – Lee Langeveldt (Stellenbosch FC), Kamogelo Mogaswa (Pretoria Callies), Bulelani Nikani (Polokwane City)