Peter Shalulile scored a brace of well-taken goals as Mamelodi Sundowns moved into the last 16 round of the Nedbank Cup with a 3-2 win over Richards Bay at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Brazilians – the reigning champions of South Africa’s equivalent of the FA Cup – dominated the game more than the close score line suggests, but the Natal Rich Boyz made it an uncomfortable evening at times for the hosts thanks to goals from Nkanyiso Zungu and Katleho Makateng.
Sundowns claimed the ascendancy as early as the 11th minute, with Peter Shalulile bursting past the defence on the edge of the penalty area before providing a classy chipped finish beyond goalkeeper Salim Magoola to make it 1-0.
Bay were awarded a penalty after Denis Onyango fouled Sakhile Hlongwa inside the box. Nkanyiso Zungu took on the spot kick and expertly converted via the underside of the crossbar to make it 1-1 in the 30th minute.
Sundowns reclaimed the lead just a minute into the second half, with Mosa Lebusa getting on the end of Mbule’s corner kick.
And on 55 minutes the Brazilians effectively killed off the game with a third goal, as Shalulile picked up Lesedi Kapinga’s pass, shifted onto his right foot and fired a low shot from the edge of the box which beat Magoola’s right hand for 3-1.
Bay made it a nervy ending thanks to Makateng’s long-range strike in the 90th minute.
Also on Tuesday night, Marumo Gallants secured a 3-1 win over Magesi FC in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Letsie Koapeng handed Gallants a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute and they doubled their lead through Judas Moseamedi, who made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime.
Magesi were struggling to contain the 2022 Nedbank Cup finalists and Tebogo Thangwane netted in first-half stoppage time to make it 3-0 to the hosts, who were deservedly leading during the halftime in Rustenburg.
The visitors surged forward in numbers and they managed to pull one back through Kagiso Selemela, who hit the back of the net just a minute before the hour-mark after the Gallants defence was exposed.
However, Gallants were then able to contain the visitors in the latter stages of the entertaining cup encounter and ultimately, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa emerged as 3-1 winners over Magesi on the night.
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