Mamelodi Sundowns showcased their championship pedigree as they advanced to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United. Thembinkosi Lorch stole the show with a remarkable brace, ensuring his team’s progression in the tournament.
The match got off to an eventful start, with the game temporarily halted in the opening 14 minutes due to lightning in the vicinity of Atteridgeville. Despite the interruption, both teams were determined to put on a spectacle for the fans.
The encounter turned out to be a game of two halves, with Mamelodi Sundowns asserting dominance in possession from the onset. However, their early control failed to translate into tangible results, and the first half ended in a stalemate, with Maritzburg United’s goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi rarely troubled.
It wasn’t until the 74th minute that the deadlock was finally broken, courtesy of a clinical finish from Thembinkosi Lorch. The seasoned attacker capitalized on a quality pass from Bongani Zungu to fire Mamelodi Sundowns into the lead. Lorch wasn’t done yet, as he added a second goal in injury time to seal the victory in style.
Despite their triumph, Mamelodi Sundowns faced stiff resistance from Maritzburg United, with Rulani Mokwena’s side struggling to find their usual fluidity due to lineup changes. However, credit must be given to Coach Pitso and Simo Dladla for their astute game plan.
In a notable moment, Coach Rulani Mokwena handed 17-year-old Kutlwano Letlhaku his senior debut. Letlhaku, who has been impressing in the development team, showcased glimpses of his talent with some neat touches on the ball, leaving fans eager to see more from the young prospect.
With this victory, Mamelodi Sundowns now join the likes of University of Pretoria, Orlando Pirates, AmaZulu, Stellenbosch, SuperSport United, Chippa United, and TS Galaxy in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup. Anticipation is high as fans eagerly await the draw for the next stage of the competition, scheduled to take place tomorrow at 18:00.
As Mamelodi Sundowns continue their pursuit of cup glory, they will look to build on this momentum and deliver more memorable performances on their quest for silverware.
