Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns became the second team to reach the 2021/22 Nedbank Cup Last 16 after they hammered National First Division outfit Richards Bay 4-0 on Friday evening.
Bradley Ralani, Rushine de Reuck, Pavol Safranko and Peter Shalulile netted for the Brazillians as the Tshwane giants marked their return to action with an emphatic win following a mid-season break.
As expected the Brazillians, who were favourites to win the game, controlled the match from the first whistle with Khuliso Mudau looking lively in the right flank for the visitors.
The former Black Leopards right-back’s delightful cross was inches away from Shalulile’s head, before he set up Thabiso Kutumela, whose goal-bound effort was blocked.
Ralani, who was keen to impress on debut for Sundowns, played a through pass to Shalulile and the Namibia international forced goalkeeper Malcolm Jacobs into a fine save from close range.
Jacobs was beaten in the 24th minute after he parried Kutumela’s cross into Ralani’s path and the new Masandawana signing scored with a deflected shot to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead heading into the half-time break.
Sundowns did well to contain an attack-minded Natal Rich Boys side after the restart with the hosts unable to seriously test Zambian legend Kennedy Mweene in the visitors’ goal-posts.
The Tshwane giants doubled their lead in the 54th minute when Kutumela’s corner-kick was headed home by Rivaldo Coetzee to make it 2-0 to Sundowns with Richards Bay’s poor marking being exposed.
Safranko was introduced just after the hour-mark and the Slovakian marksman made an impact as he headed home a quality cross from Man of the Match Mudau to extend Sundowns’ lead to 3-0 in the 70th minute.
Sundowns were running riot as Shalulile scored with a header to seal the reigning DStv Premiership champions’ emphatic 4-0 win over Richards Bay in the 88th minute with Lyle Lakay providing the assist.
The Last 32 action began on Friday afternoon with the University of Pretoria, who are campaigning in the NFD, stunning PSL side Chippa United 2-0 at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria.
Nedbank Cup Results & Fixtures (4-6 February 2022):
Friday, 4 February
University of Pretoria 2-0 Chippa United.
Richards Bay 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns.
Saturday, 5 February
Swallows FC v TS Sporting, Dobsonville Stadium – 15:00
Tshakhuma FC v Golden Arrows, Thohoyandou Stadium – 18:00
Sunday, 6 February
Orlando Pirates v AmaZulu, Orlando Stadium – 15:00.