Mamelodi Sundowns were pushed to the limit in a penalty shootout, edging University of Pretoria 4-3 after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. This victory on Friday night at Lucas Moripe Stadium secured their place as the first team in the semifinals of this season’s Nedbank Cup.
The match, filled with suspense and drama, saw Sundowns taking on rivals AmaTuks in what was a fiercely contested Tshwane Derby. Sundowns, who now shift focus to their upcoming DStv Premiership clash against Moroka Swallows on 15 April, showcased their resolve in a game that tested their championship mettle.
Despite the loss, University of Pretoria’s admirable run in the South African FA Cup concluded, but not without a valiant fight that saw them equalize and push the game beyond regular time. They now prepare for their next challenge in the Motsepe Foundation Championship against Maritzburg United on 16 April in Durban.
The game started off with Sundowns asserting their dominance early, taking the lead in the 8th minute through Lucas Ribeiro’s fantastic long-range effort. Edward Maova, AmaTuks’ goalkeeper, was left immobilized by the precision of the strike. However, the spirit of AmaTuks was not dampened as Delano Abrahams managed to level the scores at 1-1 by halftime, exploiting Sundowns’ defensive lapses with a well-taken goal in the 38th minute.
The second half saw Sundowns intensifying their efforts to regain the lead, spurred on by the introduction of attackers Thembinkosi Lorch and Gaston Sirino. Yet, AmaTuks remained a threat, particularly on the counter, with Ronwen Williams, Sundowns’ goalkeeper, called into action to deny a powerful shot from Abrahams nearing the end of regular time.
The nerve-wracking standoff continued into extra time, with Masandawana’s strike force foiled by the exceptional performance of Edward Maova, who pulled off remarkable saves to keep his team in the fight. The stalemate led to a penalty shootout, a test of nerves where Sundowns emerged victorious, thanks in part to Ronwen Williams’ heroics in saving two spot-kicks.
Reflecting on the match, the scored line stood:
AmaTuks (1) 1 (Abrahams 38′), Sundowns (1) 1 (Ribeiro 8′), marking a memorable night that sees Sundowns advance with their sights set on further glory in the Nedbank Cup, while AmaTuks bow out with heads held high after a gallant display.
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