Mamelodi Sundowns sealed their spot in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals with a 6-0 thrashing of ABC Motsepe League side Mathaithai FC on Tuesday night.
Nedbank Cup Last 16
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 6-0 Mathaithai FC
Date: 08 March 2022
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
The Brazilians made wholesale changes to the side that lost against Maritzburg United in the league, as only Grant Kekana, Rushine De Reuck and Sphelele Mkhulise were retained but there were recalls for the likes of Themba Zwane and Bradley Ralani.
Ralani gave Sundowns the perfect just after a minute with a close-range after goalkeeper Mbali Tshabalala could only parry Aubrey Modiba's initial effort.
The hosts remained in attack and got the second goal two minutes later after Zwane side-footed Ralani's low cross past Tshabalala from close range.
Mathaithai did offer better resistance after that but were not given time and space to build attacks, while Thabiso Kutumela had a chance to make it 3-0 for Sundowns in the 24th minute after collecting a pass from Zwane in the box but he dragged his shot narrowly wide of the post.
The Brazilians regained their intensity going forward in the closing phase of the first stanza and Ralani should have made it 3-0 towards the end of the first stanza after exchanging passes with Zwane to go through on goal but Tshabalala made a crucial save.
Scroll through the gallery to see the PSL stars turning out in the ABC Motsepe League.
Sundowns got back on the front foot early in the second and Kutumela made it 3-0 in the 66th minute after he bundled home a rebound near the goal-line after Kermit Erasmus' volley came off the crossbar.
The Brazilians kept Mathaithai on their toes with a double tactical change after that, as Andile Jali replaced Bradley Ralani and Lebohang Maboe made his long-awaited return.
The dominance continued for Sudowns, Kutumela added a fourth goal in the last 18 minutes with a strike into a gaping net after rounding Tshabalala from Maboe's through ball.
Maboe capped his return with a lovely chip over Tshabalala after going through on goal, as the hosts looked to make their dominanc count in the closing stages.
There was enough time for a sixth goal as Jali got his name on the scoresheet in the last two minutes with a long range strike, as the Tshwane giants booked their spot in the quarter-finals in fine style.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: Pieterse, De Reuck, Mvala, Kekana, Lunga, Modiba, Mkhulise, Maema, Ralani, Zwane, Kutumela.
Subs: Goss, B.Onyango, Maraisane, Jali, Morena, Mkhuma, Vilakazi, Maboe, Erasmus.
Mathathai: Tshabalala, Letsane, Jafta, Khanya, Malao, Manele, Modise, Sephiri, Kahleli, Segaki, Seepamore.
Subs: Motsoari , Pelatona, Molise, Matlakeng, Mabenyane, Klaas, Moloko, Mothajana, Sekola.
