Peter Shalulile bagged a hat-trick as Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Marumo Gallants.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Marumo Gallants 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 02 March 2023
Venue: Toyota Stadium
Sundowns made six changes to the side that drew with Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, as goalkeeper Denis Onyango, Mosa Lebusa, Thapelo Morena, Bongani Zungu, Sifiso Ngobeni and Neo Maema were recalled while Andile Jali was not in the squad.
The Brazilians had the perfect start as Shalulile opened the lead within eight minutes with a tap-in from a cross by Maema, with the home side sleeping at the back.
As Gallants tried to advance from their own half, they opened up the game as Rulani Mokwena's charges went 2-0 up on 26 minutes from a transition attack and another tap-in by Shalulile, who also completed his brace after Themba Zwane weaved past the last line and his cut-back took a deflection towards the path of the Namibian.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa did not lose heart as they pushed Sundowns back in and around their box and Boitumelo Pheko pulled a goal back on 33 minutes with a scorcher from the edge of the box that arrowed towards the top corner.
As the game opened up, Cassius Mailula had a golden chance to restore a two-goal lead for Sundowns just before the interval but fired a tame shot into the hands of goalkeeper Washington Arubi from point-blank range.
Raymond Mdaka's charges were spirited coming from the break, as they caused Sundowns all sorts of problems but they nearly went two goals behind on the hour-mark from a counter-attack after Ngobeni whipped in a dangerous cross that was parried away by Arubi.
Gallants lacked the final pass in the last third and spaces were opening up for the Brazilians on transitions and Shalulile fired home another tap-in five minutes later from Zwane's cross but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Luck turned on Sundowns' side with 16 minutes left after they were awarded a free-kick on the side of the box after Arubi was adjudged to have handled a ball just outside the line. Maema whipped in a free-kick that found Shalulile unmarked at the back post and the Namibian completed his hat-trick with a tap-in at the far post.
Sundowns had an injury casualty in the dying minutes after Zungu was stretchered off the field from a heavy challenge and he was replaced by Thabiso Kutumela.
Masandawana put their foot off the pedal in stoppage time as Onyango pulled off a massive save to keep out Katelgo Otladisa's shot that was heading towards the top corner, as Mokwena's men booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 29. Gumede, 22. Thangwane, 12. Khiba, 34. Pheko, 15. Mphambaniso, 17. Mohomi, 3. Manaka, 32. Makudubela, 14. Koapeng, 50. Sibeko
Subs: Abram, 11. Otladisa, 7. Nku, 8. Chivaviro, 6. Soumaro, 13. Kgoetyane, 28. Nkomo, 31. Maraisane, 33. Moseamedi.
Mamelodi Sundowns: 14. D.Onyango, 27. Morena, 3. Ngobeni, 5. Lebusa, 34. Mvala, 8. Zungu, 11. Allende, 35. Maema, 18. Zwane, 33. Mailula, 28. Shalulile
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 6. B.Onyango, 22. Mudau, 4. Mashego, 40. Coetzee, 24. Mokoena, 43. Buthelezi, 23. Domingo, 12. Kutumela.
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