Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Vaal University of Technology
Date: 23 February 2020
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns secured passage to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after scraping past four tier outfit Vaal University of Technology on Sunday afternoon.
Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane made mass changes for the encounter, with only Lebohang Maboe and Nicholus Lukhubeni remaining from the team that started against Bloemfontein Celtic in midweek.
The Brazilians were hurried on the ball by VUT in the early stages but they came close to getting the opener in the 14th minute after Bangaly Soumahoro got a free header inside the box but his effort was saved by shot-stopper Obakeng Naane.
Stanley Nkoana's charges showed a couple flashes of brilliance but almost went behind in the 27th minute after Maboe beat the offside trap at the near post to go clear on goal but his shot was saved by Naane.
Sundowns were turning on the heat in the closing phase of the first stanza but they could not penetrate the spirited VUT defence Soumahoro went wide a another header while Keletso Makgalwa was deneied by Naane shortly before the break.
After a couple of half chances at the start of the second half, Wayne Arendse finally got the breakthrough for the Brazilians with a towering header from six-yards out.
VUT had a great chance to level matters three minutes later after they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Lukhubeni on Tekanolebogang Mampa just inside the left side of the box. However, Reitumetse Hlongwane blazed his effort over the crossbar.
The visitors were made to pay for that miss as Sundowns got the two-goal cushion with 19 minutes remaining after second-half substitute Phakamani Mahlambi poked from Maboe's deflected cross.
Nkoana's men were not giving up just yet, as Hlongwane came close to pulling a goal back with a glancing header that was threatening but sailed slightly over the bar.
Nevertheless, Sundowns were able to see out the closing stages with relative ease to advance to the last eight.
Sundowns: Mweene, Lukhubeni, Lakay, Soumahoro, Seabi, Arendse, Mabunda, Makgalwa, Mkhulise, Maboe, Meza.
Subs: Pieterse, Madisha, Jali, Ngoma, Zwane, Mahlambi, Langerman.
VUT: Naane, Mokondo, Tema, Lekalakala, Sibisi, Mawelewele, Mampa, Bodiba, Chesane, Hlongwane, Mgidi.
Subs: Makhalanyane, Masango, Nkoe, Khoza, Raseasala, Nkosinathi, Mdlalose.
