PIC: Gaston Sirino of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates a goal during Nedbank Cup Last 32 match against La Masia

Four-time Nedbank Cup winners Mamelodi Sundowns put on a show with a 6-1 victory over second-tier NB La Masia in their Last 32 clash at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, while SuperSport United advanced past Cape Town City on penalties.
Uruguayan Gaston Sirino was the hero for The Brazilians with his first hattrick in South African football and a timely reminder of his quality after he scored a brilliant winner for Sundowns in the 2020 Nedbank Cup final against Bloemfontein Celtic. 
He now has seven goals in 12 Nedbank Cup starts and has laid down an early marker for the Golden Boot this season.
Sundowns never looked troubled against La Masia, who fought gamely but did not have the quality to match their illustrious opponents.  

After Sirino had given Sundowns the lead, new Argentine midfielder Matias Esquivel netted his first goal for the Tshwane side from a brilliant free-kick. He cost Sundowns a reported R50-million, which is not far off double what the La Masia’s second-tier status would be worth. That illustrates the gulf in resources.
Sirino added a second to go with a rare goal for Terrence Mashego, his first in a Sundowns jersey, before Lebogang Maboe grabbed his first goal in almost two years. He had not netted since victory over Mathaithai in the 2022 Nedbank Cup.

Sirino completed his hattrick with 20 minutes to go as Sundowns got another six-goal haul in the Nedbank Cup. In amongst all that, La Masia did get a goal as Fuad Johnson converted from the penalty-spot.

Sundowns have now won all 19 games against lower league sides in the Nedbank Cup since 2008, scoring 73 goals and conceding only four.  
SuperSport edged City in a shootout after they played to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the 120 minutes.
Young teenage sensation Shandre Campbell gave SuperSport the lead with a fibe finish that underlines his potential, before Khanyisa Mayo equalised for City just before halftime.
Both sides had chances after that, SuperSport had to twice clear off their goal-line and City also hit the crossbar, while Bradley Grobler missed an excellent headed chance for the home side.
There was no winner after extra-time, so the match went to spot-kicks and SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss proved the hero with three saves to see his side into the next round.       

LAST 32 RESULTS
February 20, 2024
SuperSport United 1 (Campbell 20’) Cape Town City 1 (Mayo 45’)
After extra-time; SuperSport won 3-1 on penalties

NB La Masia 1 (Johnson 36’pen) Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (Sirino 18’, 39’, 70’, Esquivel 22’, Mashego 27’, Maboe 49’) 

LAST 32 FIXTURES

Wednesday, February 21
19h00: Highlands Park vs Sekhukhune United – Dobsonville Stadium

19h00: University of Pretoria vs Cape Town Spurs – Tuks Stadium

Thursday, February 22

19h00: AmaZulu vs Royal AM – King Zwelithini Stadium

Friday, February 23

19h00: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy – Mpumalanga Stadium

19h00: Stellenbosch FC vs Pretoria Callies – Danie Craven Stadium

Saturday, February 24

15h00: JDR Stars vs Hungry Lions – Giant Stadium

15h00: Platinum City Rovers vs Moroka Swallows – Isak Steyl Stadium

15h00: FC Ravens vs Spain FC – Princess Magogo Stadium

15h00: Crystal Lake vs Orlando Pirates – Mbombela Stadium

18h00: Richards Bay vs Polokwane City – King Zwelithini Stadium

Sunday, February 25

15h00: D’General vs Madridtas – Free State Stadium
15h00: Maritzburg United vs Paarl United – Princess Magogo Stadium 

15h00: NC Professionals vs Chippa United – Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium

18h00: Kaizer Chiefs vs Milford FC – FNB Stadium

TOURNAMENT STATS

Matches Played: 2

Goals Scored: 9

Biggest Victory: NB La Masia 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (February 20, Last 32)

Most Goals in a Game: 7 – NB La Masia 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 6 (February 20, Last 32)

GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns)

1 – Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Matias Esquivel (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fuad Johnson (NB La Masia), Lebogang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City)