Shalulile on the brink of history

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile goes into Friday’s Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Sekhukhune United two goals away from equalling the Premier Soccer League’s record tally.

With Sundowns likely to be depleted with a number of their leading players only arriving back from World Cup qualifier duty late this week, Shalulile signed off with Namibia in their game against Equatorial Guinea in Johannesburg on Monday.

That should put him in the frame to start against Sekhukhune with coach Miguel Cardoso’s options limited.

He has a good record against the Limpopo club too, with four goals and an assist in six previous appearances against them.

The 31-year-old from Namibia has been slowly hauling in Siyabonga Nomvethe’s total of 129 goals in all topflight matches since the launch of the Premier Soccer League in 1996.

Shalulile’s goal against AmaZulu earlier this month took his tally to 127 and a brace on Friday would put him level with the former Bafana Bafana goal ace.

He is also the all-time record holder in the Nedbank Cup with 14 goals, three more than former Sundowns teammate Hlompho Kekana.

Shalulile’s has 10 goals in all competitions this season but only featured in cameo roles in the first two rounds of this year’s Nedbank Cup against Sibanye Golden Stars and Mpheni Home Defenders and has yet to find the net in the cup.

But Friday’s clash in Atteridgeville is expected to see him start and give him a chance to add to his already prolific record. His total tally is made up of 89 league and 38 cups goals.

He already has a winners’ medal from the 2022 Nedbank Cup, when he got the opening goal in the 2-1 win over Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.

He also scored a hattrick against Gallants the next year.

Shalulile missed out on last season’s final against Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium because of injury. His side went down 2-1.

PETER SHALULILE’S NEDBANK CUP GOALS

2020

Highlands Park v Uthongathi (2 goals)

Highlands Park v Kaizer Chiefs

2021

Mamelodi Sundowns v Stellenbosch (2 goals)

Mamelodi Sundowns v Polokwane City

Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates

2022

Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay

Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants

2023

Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay (2 goals)

Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants (3 goals)