Mamelodi Sundowns were made to sweat for a 4-3 win over University of Pretoria on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Fright night.
.gif)
Masandawana became the first team to reach this season's Nedbank Cup semifinals and they will now turn their attention to their DStv Premiership encounter against Moroka Swallows which is scheduled to take place on 15 April in Soweto.
AmaTuks, on the other hand, saw their fairytale run in the South African FA Cup come to an end and they now prepare for their Motsepe Foundation Championship match against Maritzburg United which is set to be played on 16 April in Durban.
AmaTuks ✅❌❌✅✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 12, 2024
Sundowns ✅❌✅✅✅
Peter Shalulile's decisive spot-kick sends Sundowns soaring into the #NedbankCup semifinals 🏆 pic.twitter.com/J2k3MRuCx5
Masandawana unsurprisingly enjoyed most of the possession and they broke the deadlock as early as the eighth minute.
Lucas Ribeiro was afforded space and time to score with a wonderful long-range strike to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead with goalkeeper Edward Maova rooted to the ground.
Lucas Ribeiro curls a beauty into the top corner from outside the box to put the Brazilians ahead ⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 12, 2024
📺 Stream #NedbankCup live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/qRTaeRm2ed
However, AmaTuks were brave enough to launch attacks and they managed to equalise in the 38th minute. Delano Abrahams levelled matters with a decent finish after the DStv Premiership champions' poor marking was exposed and the score was 1-1 during the halftime break in the Tshwane Derby.
𝐇𝐓 | 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 1️⃣-1️⃣ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 12, 2024
Delano Abrahams' third goal of the tournament restores parity ⚽️
📺 Stream #NedbankCup live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/rVVtxruA3h
Sundowns exerted pressure on the hosts after the restart, but their shots were blocked and they also missed the target. Coach Rhulani Mokwena decided to introduce quality attackers Thembinkosi Lorch and Gaston Sirino just two minutes after the hour-mark as the visitors looked to restore their lead.
However, Tuks looked dangerous on the counter and Abrahams's powerful shot was well-saved by keeper Ronwen Williams in the 79th minute having been set up by Samuel Julies. Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra-time followed.
Eventual Man of the Match Maova frustrated Masandawana in extra-time as he denied Bathusi Aubaas and Peter Shalulile, and the game had to be decided by a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Sundowns went on to win 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw with Williams saving two spot-kicks.
He does it again ⚽
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 12, 2024
Ronwen Williams saves Thokozani Sekotlong's kick ❌
📺 Stream #NedbankCup live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/9Xqkfx0bkQ
AmaTuks (1) 1 (Abrahams 38')
Sundowns (1) 1 (Ribeiro 8')
AmaTuks XI: Maova, Gum (Makara 75'), Mahlangu, Majadibodu, Langa, Mpedi, Julies (Sekotlong 98'), Marebane (Mokoena 75'), Mvambi (Tonisi 70'), Abrahams, Pheeane (Makungo 105')
Sundowns XI: Williams, Kekana (Maseko 105'), Mvala, Modiba (Shalulile 80'), Morena (Lorch 62'), Aubaas, Mokoena, Maema (Gaston 62'), Allende, Zwane (Mabena 80'), Ribeiro