Sun downs on Defenders in Nedbank Cup

LIMPOPO – In their Nedbank Cup last 16 match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday, Mamelodi Sundowns secured a place in the quarter-finals after a 2-0 victory over Mpheni Home Defenders from Vhembe.

The home side wasted no time, taking the game to their opponents from the first whistle. Sundowns missed two clear chances in the opening minutes: Sphelele Mkhulise, after receiving a beautiful pass from Maligonge Khoza, shot wide from outside the box, and Arthur Sales hesitated in front of goal, losing possession.

Despite these early missed opportunities, Sundowns kept up their attacking momentum. They broke the deadlock in the 8th minute when Tasheeg Matthews scored with ease. In the 26th minute, Bathusi Abbas caught the Defenders’ goalkeeper, Buhle Thompson, off guard, blasting a rocket from the edge of the box to double Sundowns’ lead to 2-0.

Defenders tried to threaten in the latter stages of the first half, but the Sundowns defence, led by Aseko Tiwani and Maligonge Khoza, stood firm, denying them two obvious goal-scoring opportunities.

In the second half, Sundowns’ Tasheeg Matthews was given a second yellow card for a rough tackle on Ernest Munyadziwa, resulting in a red card and his dismissal from the match.

Defenders kept pushing for a goal, with Brendon Mokgope testing the Sundowns keeper, who managed to palm the ball away for a corner. Despite their late efforts, Defenders were unable to break through, and the match ended with Sundowns advancing to the next round.