Nedbank Cup champions Mamelodi Sundowns crashed out of the Nedbank Cup after losing 2-1 to Stellenbosch FC on Saturday.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Stellenbosch FC 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 15 April 2023
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Sundowns changed almost the entire team that was held to a draw by Golden Arrows, with Grant Kekana and Marcelo Allende the survivors alongside the return of big guns such as Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena.
Stellies had a positive start in the opening exchanges as Iqraam Rayners tested goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who made only his third start, as the Ugandan came out on top.
The Brazilians eventually got into their rhythm after ten minutes and after a couple of shots at goal, Maema came close to breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the box that sailed slightly over the top corner.
Stellies managed to tame Sundowns' pressure towards the interval, as they launched their own attacks but they were mesmerized by a fantastic long range shot from Aubrey Modiba, that came off the crossbar and hit goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt on his back and into the net as Rulani Mokwena's charges went to the interval with a narrow lead.
The game opened up and Rayners gave Steve Barker's men the lead just before the hour-mark and got his brace with a left-footed strike in the box after another error by Sundowns.
The Tshwane giants had the momentum after that but they were frustrated by Stellies and with 20 minutes to go, Mokwena eventually made changes, as Cassius Mailula came on for Gaston Sirino and surprisingly Abdelmounaim Boutouil replaced Marcelo Allende after the Chilean got injured in a change of structure.
Sundowns went on an all-out attack but they were constantly repelled by Stellies, who were compact at the back.
The Brazilians threw in Thapelo Morena and Siyabonga Mabena in the dying for a change of fortunes but they could not get clear chances, as the Cape Winelands side frustrated the holders out of the tournament and progressed to the semi-finals.
As a result, Sundowns lost for the first time under Mokwena since he was announced as head coach.
Here's how they lined up:
Stellenbosch: 35. Langeveldt, 38. Makhanya, 5. Sibiya, 21. Basadien, 44. Jurgens, 6. Mthethwa, 27. Jabaar, 23. Adams, 34. Titus, 10. Mendieta, 9. Rayners.
Subs: 32. Bombay, 43. Felix, 8. Nduli, 26. Mcaba, 29. Van Wyk, 22. Sibande, 37. Mngomezulu, 15. Ortiz, 42. Boji.
Mamelodi Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 25. Mudau, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 17. Modiba, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 35. Maema, 18. Zwane, 10. Sirino, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 1. Pieterse, 13. Boutouil, 27. Morena, 24. Mbule, 21.Mkhulise, 44. Mabena, 23. Domingo, 33. Mailula, 28. Nasir
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
