Telkom Knockout Cup: Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0 AmaZulu – Masandawana ease into quarter-finals
Jose Ali Meza, Mario Booysen, Gaston Sirino (brace) and Mauricio Affonso all scored for a ruthless Masandawana side
Mamelodi Sundowns thumped AmaZulu FC 5-0 in the 2019 Telkom Knockout Cup Round of 16 match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Pitso Mosimane named a strong team for the cup clash with Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana starting alongside fellow veteran midfielder Andile Jali.
Mosimane’s counterpart Jozef Vukusic banked on AmaZulu striker Bonginosi Ntuli’s scoring form with the marksman having scored four goals in his previous five league games.
Sundowns attacker Jose Ali Meza, who had shrugged off an ankle injury ahead of the match, was looking lively as he combined well with Gaston Sirino and Themba Zwane.
However, the Usuthu defence which was marshalled by former Sundowns defender Mario Booysen looked solid and compact which forced the hosts to try their luck from range.
Long-range specialist Kekana found some space on the edge of the box and he unleashed a shot which was well-saved by AmaZulu goalkeeper Neil Boshoff.
The Brazilians continued to probe as they searched for small gaps and holes in the visitors’ defence and their persistence did pay off.
Zwane burst into the AmaZulu box and unselfishly set-up Meza, who beat Boshoff from close range to make it 1-0 to Sundowns on the stroke of half-time.
Sundowns were deservedly leading 1-0 at half-time against a defensive AmaZulu side.
The hosts pushed for their second goal after the restart with former Orlando Pirates midfield maestro Jali pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
Usuthu’s defence was put under pressure and Booysen scored an own-goal to make it 2-0 to Sundowns as the towering defender attempted to clear Jali’s long-ball in the 54th minute.
Vukusic reacted by introducing experienced marksman Lehlohonolo Majoro, but the momentum was with the Brazilians, who were awarded a penalty after Morena was fouled in the box by Mbongeni Gumede.
Sirino then stepped up and he made no mistake as he fired past Boshoff to make it 3-0 to Sundowns with 21 minutes left.
Mosimane’s men were running rampant as they managed to extend their lead through Sirino in the 78th minute with Uruguayan attacker grabbing his brace.
The Usuthu defence was left exposed after pushing forward and Sirino had no messy as he scored with a first time effort to make it 4-0 to Sundowns.
Sundowns’ impressive 5-0 win over a hapless AmaZulu side was sealed by second half substitute Mauricio Affonso as the lanky striker scored with a header with three minutes left.
As a result, Masandawana joined Kaizer Chiefs, Maritzburg United, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United in the quarter-finals, while Usuthu were eliminated from the tournament.
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