Sundowns shift focus to Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after Pirates defeat

Mamelodi Sundowns will face Sekhukhune United in the rescheduled Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on the evening of March 28 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The new date was confirmed by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) last week after the game was postponed due to a double booking of a venue. The original game had to be pushed back due to stadium booking issues.

This upcoming clash is pivotal for both teams, as the winner will advance to face Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-finals of the tournament.

The Brazilians, known for their resilience and competitive spirit, have already played 17 games since the beginning of the year.

This upcoming match follows Sundowns’ recent 2-1 defeat against Orlando Pirates on March 16 at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

During that match, Sundowns struggled to find their rhythm early on but fought back to create several chances.

Pirates, on the other hand, managed to capitalise on defensive errors from Sundowns, leading them to find the back of the net early.

Brazilians’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was unable to stop the shots, and the early deficit put the visitors on the back foot.

Despite the early setbacks, Masandawana regrouped and began to threaten the Pirates’ defence.

Lucas Ribeiro made a determined effort to push the ball into the danger zone, but his progress was thwarted just at the edge.

Grant Kekana also came close to narrowing the gap with a powerful header, only to see his attempt hit the woodwork, denying Sundowns a crucial goal.

As the match progressed, the Soweto-based side sought to extend their lead.

However, Williams and his defence held firm, blocking multiple attempts from Pirates as they aimed to maintain their advantage.

The second half saw Bafana Ba Style return to the pitch with renewed energy and determination.

They kept pressing forward and created several opportunities to score, but Pirates’ defence remained resolute, employing a low-block strategy to thwart Sundowns’ advances.

This sparked hope for the visitors as they looked to equalise and created more chances.

However, despite their efforts, Masandawana failed to find the back of the net again, ultimately sealing their fate with a defeat for the season.

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