Nedbank Cup Quarter-Final
Result: Highlands Park 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 14 March 2020
Venue: Makhulong Stadium
Keletso Makgalwa came off the bench to net the winning goal as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Highlands Park in extra-time to advance to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane handed starts to Lyle Lakay, Jose Ali Meza, Lebohang Maboe and Tiyani Mabunda while Andile Jali, who is one match away from suspension was left out of the squad, ahead of a big clash against Orlando Pirates.
Highlands also shuffled their regular line-up, starting with a surprise call-up for goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, which was accompanied by the return of Musa Nyatama, Sifiso Mbhele, Lesenya Ramoraka and Makhehlene Makhaula.
The Brazilians were forceful in the early stages and almost got the opener in the 12th minute after an un-marked Anele Ngcongca met a corner from Meza but Kapini was on hand to make a fine saem
Pitso Mosimane's charges had a great chance to break the deadlock with nine minutes left of the first stanza from a dead-ball situation but Lakay was unable to add to his one goal for the season after hitting the upright with a free-kick.
The Lions of the North nearly broke the deadlock with three minutes left of the first stanza after Peter Shalulile went clear on goal but his low strike sailed straight into the arms of Sundowns shot-stopper Denis Onyango.
The game was on the edge in the early stages of the second stanza and Highlands thought they had found the breakthrough ten minutes from the break after Nyatama found the net with a header at the near post but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Lakay had a glorious chance to punish the Lions of the North three minutes later after going clear on goal but he struck his diagonal shot wide of the mark with only Kapini in his way.
Owen Da Gama's men were defending deep and in numbers in the closing phase but Tebogo Langerman almost snatched the lead for Sundowns in the last 12 minutes with a long range strike that was kept out of the top corner by Kapini.
The Brazilians were lucky not to have been penalised in stoppage time after Ricardo Nascimento handled the ball inside the box but the referee was not persuaded as the sides went to extra-time after a goalless draw.
After a scoreless first half, Sundowns finally broke the deadlock in the last five minutes of extra-time after substitute Keletso Makgalwa took advantage of Ryan Rae's error, charged his way to the box and curled a low strike into the bottom corner to send Sundowns to the final four.
Here's how they lined up:
Highlands: Kapini, Mbhele, Ramoraka, Fransman, Mzava, Mvala, Mbatha, Motsepe, Shalulile, Nyatama, Makhaula.
Subs: Heugh, Munyai, Letsholonyane, Mokoena, Rae, Jooste, Nyembe.
Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca, Langerman, Nascimento, Madisha, Kekana, Maboe, Mabunda, Vilakazi, Lakay, Meza.
Subs: Mweene, Makgalwa, Coetzee, Lebusa, Lukhubeni, Ngoma, Arendse.
