Nedbank Cup Last 32
Result: Chippa United 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 26 January 2019
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns have crashed out of the Nedbank Cup at the first hurdle after going down 2-1 to Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Ricardo Nascimento was replaced by Rivaldo Coetzee in the Sundowns defence, while Andile Jali, Gaston Sirino and Phakamani Mahlambi were drafted into the line-up. Rhulani Manzini grabbed the lead for Chippa after just three minutes with a thumping free-kick outside the box that beat Onyango at the bottom corner, 1-0. The Brazilians took control from then on, but they were often let down by their decision-making in the final third. Tercious Malepe was unlucky not to have doubled Chippa's lead on 31 minutes after his effort from outside the box crashed against the crossbar with Onyango well-beaten. A minute later, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net as Phakamani Mahlambi beat the offside trap to go clear on the left side to power home a half-volley past Daniel Akpeyi into the bottom corner as Sundowns ended the half on a strong note.
Here's how they lined up: Masandawana were forced to make a substitution three minutes after the break as Andile Jali broke down with injury and was replaced by Hlompho Kekana. Thabo Rakhale almost restored the lead for United nine minutes inside the second stanza with a curling effort from the centre of the box that was parried over the bar by Onyango. Larsen was looking to inject fresh legs and pace in attack on the hour-mark as he made a double substitution with the explosive Mark Mayambela and Ruzaigh Gamildien coming on for Rakhale and Kurt Lentjies. The match slowed down after frantic end to end attacks from the start of the second stanza, although the Brazilians continued to dominate as they went in search of a winning goal. The Brazilians squandered a number of chances in the closing stages of the game, with Sirino going closest with a close range effort that sailed over the crossbar. With the game looking like it was heading for extra time, defender Frederic Nsabiyumva netted the dramatic winner for Chippa deep in stoppage time with a header at the near post to send his side into the last 16.
Chippa: Akpeyi, Macheke, Nsabiyumva, Shitolo, R. Manzini, Malepe, Tlolane, Komane, Rakhale, Lentjies, Mbenyane. Subs: Mzimela, Mayambela, Manzini. Makobela, Klate, Gamildien Malama. Sundowns: Onyango, Ngcongca, Coetzee, Lebusa, Langerman, Mohomi, Jali, Mkhulise, Zwane, Mahlambi, Sirino. Subs: Pieterse, Maboe, Madisha, Manyisa, Brockie, Kekana, Lakay.
