Mamelodi Sundowns defeated University of Pretoria on penalties to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Friday night.
Yet another strong line-up was shown by Masandawana, but Bathusi Aubass, Marcelo Allende and Thapelo Morean were recalled from the team that started at Cape Town Spurs on Tuesday night.
A dominant start did follow when Lucas Ribeiro Costa picked up possession right outside the box from a loose clearance and curled into the top corner for the opening goal.
Tuks immediately attempted the response through a move down the right by Delano Abrahams, but Williams palmed the cross-cum shot from the full-back.
Nonetheless, the majority of chances fell to Masandawana as a flowing move through the middle released Thapelo Morena who cutback for unmarked Neo Maema only for Edward Maova to parry.
AmaTuks remained confident beyond the half-hour mark and earned their rewardsas Abrahams latched onto Kamogelo Pheeane’s knockdown following a free-kick and volleyed in.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena came close to restoring the advantage with a pin-point free-kick from 30-yards, but tremendous reflexes from Maova denied him.
Sundowns continued to have the majority of possession after halftime and missed an opportunity to go back in front when Ribeiro headed Allende’s first-time cross over the top.
Maema and Morena’s time on show 60 minutes were ended as the duo made way for Gaston Sirino and Thembinkosi Lorch to enter from the bench.
Abrahams looked for a brace later on when he ran in to the edge of the area to launch in a loose ball, but Williams got down and smothered.
Substitute Peter Shalulile had a glorious chance to halt his scoring run with a first-time header from a corner, but went across the face of goal and sent the game to extra-time.
Lorch should’ve put them ahead with a clever shot on the turn following a knockdown from Shalulile, but he went wide and penalties followed to determine the winner.
Williams heroics once again came through for Masandawana in the shoot-out where he made two saves before Shalulile netted the decisive one to see them in the semi-finals
Confirmed line-ups:
University of Pretoria: Maova, Langa, Mahlangu, Gum, Majadibodu, Marebane, Mpedi, Julies, Mvambi, Abrahams, Pheeane
Subs: Dlamini, Makara, Nkogatse, Mokoena, Seanego, Sekotlong, Mohlamonyane, Makungo, Tonisi
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Modiba, Mvala, Aubaas, Mokoena, Maema, Allende, Zwane, Morena, Riberio
Subs: D.Onyango, B.Onyango, Nkosi, Maseko, Esquivel, Mabena, Lorch, Sirino, Shalulile
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