Nedbank Cup
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 15 April 2021
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup with a 4-1 drubbing of Orlando Pirates on Thursday evening
Gaston Sirino returned to the Sundowns line-up in place of the suspended Lyle Lakay while the Buccaneers made two alterations, as Thulani Hlatshwayo and Thabang Monare were both recalled.
Click through the gallery above to see action from Sundowns' big win.
The Brazilians got off to a perfect start after Peter Shalulile fired them ahead in the 12th minute with a low strike past shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands after latching onto a through ball over the defence by Rivaldo Coetzee.
After Shalulile squandered a chance to double the lead, Tshegofatso Mabasa levelled matters for Josef Zinnbauer's charges in the 33rd minute with a close-range strike at the back post into a gaping net after a square pass by Gabadinho Mhango.
Mhango was unfortunate not to make it 2-1 for Pirates five minutes before the break after he latched onto a poor clearance before rattling the crossbar while the Malawian went clear on goal a minute later but was thwarted by a recovering Mosa Lebusa.
Sundowns started the second half just as they did with the first, as Zwane restored their lead four minutes from the break after he latched onto a loose ball in a crowded area inside the box, rounded Sandilands and fired home from a tight angle.
Rushine De Reuck also had an opportunity make it 3-1 for the hosts four minutes later with a towering header that was cleared off the line by Ben Motshwari and a moment later Lebusa almost conceded an own goal, as he directed a cross into his own goal but goalkeeper Denis Onyango made a good reflex save at the near post.
Second-half substitute Lesedi Kapinga added a third goal for Masandawana 12 minutes before time with his first touch, as he received a pass from Zwane just inside the box and curled a stunning strike past Sandilands.
Sundowns rounded off the socring through Kekana, who found the bottom corner with a neat strike as the Brazilians clinched a resounding win to setup a semi-final clash with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Sunday.
Here's how they started:
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 28. De Reuck, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 27. Morena, 37. Modiba, 33. Maboe, 21. Mkhulise, 10. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 20. Goss, 3. Nascimento, 22. Kapinga, 11. Vilakazi, 25. Mudau, 36. Mkhuma, 8. Kekana, 19. Motupa, 41. Mvala.
Pirates: 31. Sandilands, 14. Hlatshwayo, 4. Jele, 5. Nyauza, 29. Mako, 6. Motshwari, 15. Makaringe, 16. Monare, 7. Mhango, 11. Hotto, 9. Mabasa
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 45. Pule, 44. Mabaso, 34. Tshobeni, 32. Mntambo, 18. Dlamini, 17. Jooste, 12. Makgaka, 8. Ndlovu.
View the 9 players Pirates need to decide on:
