Mamelodi Sundowns survived a second-half scare to progress to the Nedbank Cup round of 16 after beating Sibanye Golden Stars 5-2 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, January 25.
Miguel Cardoso's side went into the halftime break three goals to the good, only for the ABC Motsepe League outfit to respond swiftly with two themselves after the restart.
#NedbankCup - RESULT:
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) January 25, 2025
Mamelodi Sundowns book their spot in the Last 16 following a win in a high-scoring encounter against Sibanye Golden Stars. pic.twitter.com/V1Goj10usj
Bathusi Aubaas then received his marching orders on 76 minutes to give the visitors a glimmer of hope, but Kobamelo Kodisang sealed the win at the death after Arthur Sales had made it 4-2 earlier on.
Bathusi Aubaas sees red twice this month 😲🔴🔴
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 25, 2025
📺 Stream #NedbankCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/EwcKCn6S2Z
The Tshwane giants got off to the best possible start when Malinongwe Khoza headed home from a corner in the second minute and they made life difficult for the opposition by applying a high press at every opportunity.
It paid dividends on the quarter-hour mark as Sundowns quickly won the ball back and Kutlwano Letlhaku played an incisive through-ball for Tashreeq Matthews to round the goalkeeper with ease before tapping into an open net for a 2-0 lead.
The hosts continued to push for more goals, with Sales steering a header wide of the target on 27 minutes, but the third goal wasn't long in coming as Matthews pounced on a defensive mistake to bury his shot beyond Velile Xankase in the 41st minute.
A superb save from Xankase denied Sales the chance to get on the scoresheet with a venomous volley on 53 minutes, although the visitors hit back through Mojalefa Mokhatla against the run of play two minutes later.
The home crowd were stunned on 61 minutes when Mafanyane Mokitimi did well to beat Mosa Lebusa inside the area on the right before teeing up Boeletsang Rankali to fire past Ronwen Williams.
However, Sales restored Masandawana's two-goal cushion eight minutes later following good work from Kodisang to steal back possession and set up him up unselfishly to score.
Downs had to play the final 14 minutes with just 10 men though, as Aubaas received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident - the midfielder's second dismissal of the season.
Kodisang capped off a fine performance with a cool finish in the 95th minute to register his first domestic goal for the club, having opened his account in the CAF Champions League at the start of the campaign.
Mamelodi Sundowns (3) 5 (Khoza 2', Matthews 15', 41', Sales 69', Kodisang 90+5')
Sibanye Golden Stars (0) 2 (Mokhatla 54', Rankali 61')
Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, K. Johannes, M. Khoza (S. Mkhulise 46'), M. Lebusa, Z. Mdunyelwa, K. Letlhaku (K. Kodisang 46'), B. Aubaas, T. Matthews (T. Maseko 46'), T. Mashego (A. Tiwani 58'), A. Sales, N. Maema (J. Adams 72').
Sibanye Golden Stars: V. Xankase, T. Mpholo (H. Ntsooa 84'), T. Meko (P. Chakane 90+3'), M. Olifant, M. Testsa, A. Bauti (B. Rankali 48'), M. Molete, M. Khosi (S. Likoebe 48'), N. Makhetha (L. Makhakoe 49'), M. Mokhatla, M. Mokitimi.