Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup last 16 clash at Toyota Stadium on Thursday evening.
Shalulile scored two identical goals in the first half as he showed great control and composure in the box to finish off Neo Maema’s brilliant passes to give Sundowns a 2-0 lead after 26 minutes.
The striker found himself between Gallants’ central defenders Tebogo Thangwane and Tshepo Gumede and was quickest to Maema’s ball, before a lovely control and finish in the eighth minute, and did the same thing to complete his brace 14 minutes later.
However, Boitumelo Pheko ensured a nervy end to the first half for the visitors when he pulled one back for Gallants after 33 minutes with a thunderous strike that caught Dennis Onyango by surprise.
Gallants took a corner which Shalulile headed out but the ball fell to Lucky Mohomi who laid it to Pheko and the midfielder unleashed a left-footed stunner in the top left corner.
Shalulile was then ruled offside after heading home Themba Zwane’s cross in the 64th minute but he could not be denied his hat-trick nine minutes later, when he poked home Maema’s freekick to make it 3-1.
Victory extends Sundowns’ unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions with last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League the only stalemate they have recorded over that period.
Sundowns have little time to rest as they face Stellenbosch FC in the PSL on Sunday before the energy-sapping Champions League return leg against Al Ahly next weekend.