Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout after thrashing Golden Arrows 5-0 on Saturday evening.
Carling Knockout
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0 Golden Arrows
Date: 19 October 2024
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi made change from the win over Kaizer Chiefs, as Lebohang Maboe came in to replace Themba Zwane, who picked up an injury while on duty with Bafana Bafana while Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau continued on the bench.
The hosts only needed 13 minutes to get the breakthrough when a good spell of possession ended with Lucas Costa Ribeiro teeing up Thapelo Morena, who sent a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
The lead was doubled in the 31st minute as Sundowns managed to breakthrough the Arrows defence quite easily with Tashreeq Matthews unselfishly teeing up Iqraam Rayners for the simplest of tap-ins.
Arrows coach Mabhuti Khenyeza was forced to make a change soon after falling two goals behind after striker Ryan Moon was forced off with an injury and replaced by Lungelo Nguse.
The visitors were a little more livelier in the second period and they went close to pulling one back on 59 minutes but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced a fine save to keep out Knox Mutizwa's free-kick.
With a league assignment coming up midweek, Mngqithi opted to make a couple changes for the final 20 minutes as Mokoena and Thembinkosi Lorch replaced Marcelo Allende and Lucas Ribeiro.
Lorch's impact was immediate as it was his corner that found Mothobi Mvala, who powered home a header for the home side's third goal on the night.
The fourth goal arrived after 77 minutes as Peter Shalulile ended his drought by getting his first goal of the season with a first-time finish from Morena's neat through pass.
Shalulile was not the only substitute to get on the score-sheet as youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku was sent through on goal and showed great composure to slot home just minutes after coming in the final ten minutes to round off a big win.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, Coetzee, Mvala, Morena, Tiwani, Maboe, Allende, Ribiero, Matthews, Rayners
Subs: Onyango, Lunga, Mudau, Aubaas, Mokoena, Mkhulise, Letlhaku, Lorch, Shalulile
Golden Arrows: Maova, Phillips , Shitolo, Mantshiyane, Cele, Zuke, Dube, Zwane, Sibiya, Masuku, Moon
Subs: Watenga, Nxadi, Theron , Dlamini, Ndwandwe, Mchunu, Mbanjwa, Nguse, Mutizwa
