Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after defeating Maritzburg United 2-0 on Sunday evening.
First-choice Ronwen Williams was given a rest as Denis Onyango started in goals for Sundowns, while there was also a return for Khuliso Mudau for the first time since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mudau didn’t take long to get stuck in and cleared showed solid defensive nous at the back to prevent the Team of Choice profiting from a long throw.
The Team of Choice sat on the back-foot and allowed Gaston Sirino space to check inside and curl in a shot but it was well dealt with in the end.
Severe weather conditions around the venue forced the referee to suspend the match and had both teams into the changing rooms.
With matters back underway after a long period without play, Sundowns pushed the visitors all the way and fancied the breakthrough when Aubaas snapped a loose ball high and wide of target.
Masandawana pulled up with another chance a few minutes later as high-profile signing Thembinkosi Lorch but had his point-blank shot blocked
The Team of Choice revived their stall just after halftime and saw Reagan Van der Ross sacrificed to see Sanele Gaxa hauled on the park.
It wasn’t plain sailing as imagined before for the host, who struggled to unlock the boys from the Pietermaritzburg -bringing on key striker Peter Shalulile for Matias Esquivel to effect change.
After much probing, Sundowns seized control as Lorch sneaked in the defensive third to connect with Bongani Zungu’s through pass and slammed in the top corner.
Maritzburg didn’t present a reply as Lorch bagged a second goal of the day in added time with another well-taken effort beyond Dumisani Msibi to see the Brazilians into the quarter-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: D.Onyango, Mudau, Lunga, Lebusa, Zungu, Aubaas, Maboe, Allende, Esquivel, Lorch, Sirino
Subs: Pieterse, Mvala, Coetzee, Mashego, Mkhulise, Mbule, Letlhaku, Morena, Shalulile
Maritzburg United: Msibi, Madonsela, Slawula, Ncanana, Mzuza, Musaka, Chingi, Sithole, Khumalo, Van der Ross, Kamatuka
Subs: Mtshali, Kewuti, Conco, Hlongwa, Mbindana, Gaxa, Zondi, Nkosi, Niang
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