Downs sends Stars packing
Sundowns finally gets a win over Dikwena with 3-1 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Eliot Mahlase
Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Platinum Stars 3-1 in the Nedbank Cup to book themselves a spot in the quarter finals on Sunday afternoon at the Royal Bafokeng stadium.
Goals from Mzikayise Mashaba, Khama Billiat and Hlompho Kekana gave the Brazilians a hard-fought victory to end Downs’ jinx against Stars. A win was Sundowns’ first cup competition victory over Stars since coach Pitso Mosimane arrived in 2012 after he was fired from his Bafana Bafana post.
The match started positively with both teams playing attacking football. After nearly going behind when Dikwena hit the post, Sundowns dominated the first half and Mashaba found the back of the net after finishing off a brilliant move from Siyanda Zwane and Themba Zwane. Stars got a wake up call after the goal, and before half time, they were rewarded when Ndumiso Mabena’s shot was poached by Eleazer Rodgers to make the scores level heading into the tunnel.
The second half didn’t produce fireworks until Brilliat made a stunning turn in the 82nd minute to put Downs 2-1 up after receiving a pass from Hlompho, a few minutes later Kekana went from provider to scorer when he unleashed an unstoppable shot to leave Stars keeper with no chance.
A win for Sundowns means they will be the only ‘giants’ left in the competition after both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated in the competition on Saturday.
In another game that took place on the weekend, a well struck volley from United’s Jeremy Brockie was enough for ‘Matsatsantsa’ to crash Pirates out of the Nedbank Cup. Supersport United have eliminated Pirates from two competitions this season and having already won the Telkom Knockout, another trophy seems likely for the Tshwane giants.
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