Mamelodi Sundowns 4 – 0 Polokwane City: Masandawana in convincing victory to set up Orlando Pirates date

Mamelodi Sundowns 4 – 0 Polokwane City: Masandawana in convincing victory to set up Orlando Pirates date

A dominant display by Mamelodi Sundowns saw them booking a Nedbank Cup quarter-final spot against old foes Orlando Pirates following a 4-0 win over Polokwane City at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

A five-minute goal-blitz by Peter Shalulile, Lebogang Maboe and Lesedi Kapinga inside the opening 15 minutes had Sundowns already throwing the contest beyond Polokwane City’s reach.

Andile Jali then converted from the penalty spot in the 28th minute to hand Masandawana a 4-0 halftime lead.

Sundowns will now meet Orlando Pirates in the Last-Eight on April 15 in what could be a stern test to their Nedbank Cup title defence bid.

On Wednesday, Sundowns had the luxury of benching Themba Zwane and Gaston Sirino while Rushine De Reuck and Lesedi Kapinga made their first starts for the club.

Ricardo Goss started in goals and Mauricio Affonso made it on the substitutes bench after a long injury lay-off.

It was a comfortable afternoon for Sundowns who opened the scoreline 10 minutes into the match when Shalulile pounced on a rebound from Polokwane City goalkeeper Tebatso Phoku who was trying to save a Haashim Domingo shot.

Matters went wrong again for the National First Division side in the 14th minute when Domingo trapped a backpass by Siboniseni Ngcobo to feed Maboe who then beat Phoku and double Sundowns’ advantage.

As the Limpopo visitors were trying to regroup, Lesedi Kapinga profited from another Phoku spill to hit home for Sundowns’ third goal a minute later in what was his maiden goal for Masandawana.

This set the hosts up in cruise control and moments later, Kapinga won Sundowns a penalty after he was fouled inside the box and Jali stepped up to convert.

The Brazilians almost made it five up four minutes before halftime but Phoku was on hand to desperately save a Shalulile headed effort on the goal line.

After the restart, Sundowns continued to control play and kept the Polokwane City goalkeeper the busiest.

But the visitors also had their moments to hit back but Salulani Phiri’s shots were twice blocked by De Reuck.

While enjoyinh what looked like a healthy lead, Sundowns slowed down in attack as they appeared satisfied with the first half effort.

Their last serious attempt at goal came five minuted before halftime when Phoku read well and saved a George Maluleka shot which took an awkward bounce.