Mamelodi Sundowns cruised to the next round of the Nedbank Cup after thrashing Richards Bay 4-0, with their new signing getting on the score-sheet.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: Richards Bay 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 04 February 2022
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Kennedy Mweene stepped came in for the absent Denis Onyango, while new signing Bradley Ralani was handed his debut in the line-up while fellow newcomer Teboho Mokoena started on the bench.
The Natal Rich Boyz started the stronger of the two sides but Sundowns had the first real chance in the 16th minute after Shalulile went through on goal in the six-yard box from Ralani's pass but his toe-poke lacked power and was saved by goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 24th minute after debutant Ralani fired home a left-footed strike from a rebound in the box after Jacobs parried Thabiso Kutumela's cross.
Sundowns gained control of the game after that, not giving Richards Bay chances on transitions but they also lacked the final pass in the last third, as they settled for a slender lead heading into the halftime break.
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The Brazilians had the perfect start in the second stanza as Rushine De Reuck doubled the lead ten minutes after the break with a towering header into the top corner from Kutumela's corner.
The Tshwane giants made a double change just after the hour-mark, as Mokoena was given his debut in place of Rivaldo Coetzee in midfield while Pavol Safranko replaced Kutumela upfront.
The visitors were keeping the Natal Rich Boyz in their own half, but Safranko eventually put the game to bed 20 minutes before time with a free header towards the top corner after a cross by Khuliso Mudau.
Sundowns remained on the front foot, pressurising Richards Bay and Lyle Lakay came close to making it 4-0 in the last three minutes with a cracking free-kick on the edge of the box that was tipped to the post by Jacobs.
However, Shalulile eventually got the fourth goal for Masandawana just after that with a free header after a cross by Lakay, as the visitors cruised to the last 16 of the tournament.
Here's how they started:
Richards Bay: 16. Jacobs, 2. Maphate, 3. Mabua, 14. Ndlela, 25. Mcineka, 4. Mtlolo, 7. Mngomezulu, 19. Ncanana, 28. Hlongwa, 17. Mthethwa, 45. Ntsundwana.
Subs: 42. Mpakumpaku, 3. Shabalala, 27. Zwane, 32. Swelall, 8. Mhlongo, 6. Baker, 11. Mabuya, 18. Meveni, 22. Liphoko.
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 40. Coetzee, 7. Lakay, 6. B.Onyango, 28. De Reuck, 15. Jali, 25. Mudau, 29. Ralani, 32. Kutumela, 18. Zwane, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 34. Mvala, 27. Morena, 23. Domingo, 17. Modiba, 22. Kapinga, 26. Mokoena, 24. Vilakazi, 9. Safranko
