Mamelodi Sundowns proved too strong for NB La Masia after registering a 6-1 victory to book their spot in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup.
New signing Zuko Mdunyelwa and Matias Esquivel made their first starts for the Brazilians, as Denis Onyango, Gaston Sirino, Junior Mendieta and Lebohang Maboe were also included.
Sundowns were a bit cagey from the onset but settled and hit the front when Sirino beat the offside trap to make a blind run off Maboe’s pass and comfortably beat Cuwen Prince.
Esquivel announced himself to the South African public in style as he lined-up outside the area and nestled the top corner through a powerful free-kick.
There was no stopping Rhulani Mokwena’s troops, who entered cruise mode around the half-hour mark as Esquivel showed smart play to see Terrence Mashego profit from an advanced area.
La Masia got a lifeline ten minutes ahead of halftime when Fuad Johnson converted from the penalty- spot after Marcelo Allende committed a foul in the box.
Sirino ensured Sundowns went into the break with a three-goal cushion as he completed his brace just before the break after combining with Maboe’s surging run from deep to apply a lofted finish from close-range.
Masandawana coach Rulani Mokwena made a triple substitution after halftime, with Neo Maema, Bongani Zungu and Thembinkosi Lorch brought on to the park.
Sundowns continued to wreak havoc in the second half, as Maboe got ahead of the La Masia defence to get onto Sirino’s through pass and finished with composure.
After a quiet spell, Sirino completed a hat-trick in the last 20 minutes when he rushed into the box to tap in a low cross from Lorch.
La Masia really had no response at this point as the Tshwane giants enjoyed all of the control and went to a handsome victory as well as last 16 spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
La Masia: Prince, Ngobeza, Saralina, Bull, Manning, Wee, Williams, Baatjies, Rademeyer, May, Johnson
Subs: Du Plessis, Manzini, Roelf, Ntshuntshe, Rooi, Johnson, Kakora, Green, John.
Mamelodi Sundowns: D. Onyango, Mdunyelwa, Lebusa, Lunga, Mashego, Mbule, Maboe, Allende, Mendieta, Esquivel, Sirino.
Subs: Pieterse, B. Onyango, Zungu, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Maema, Matthews, Lorch, Shalulile.
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