Nedbank Cup: Sundowns humbled by Galaxy to join holders Chiefs in the cold! Pirates to benefit?

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Nedbank Cup: Sundowns humbled by Galaxy to join holders Chiefs in the cold! Pirates to benefit?
Image - TS Galaxy

Mamelodi Sundowns have been eliminated from the Nedbank Cup after falling 2-0 to Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 fixture staged at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.

Masandawana were keen on getting into the latter stages of the competition and probably go all teh way after missing out in the MTN8 and most recently the Carling knockout.

For the Rockets, it was definitely going to be a tough outing considering the quality possessed by the Brazilians and the head-to-head record.

Galaxy shock Sundowns

A mistake by Divine Lunga was punished in the 18th minute; the versatile defender started a build-up from the back, trying to find Marcelo Allende in midfield. However, the weak pass was intercepted by Siphamandla Ngwenya, who made no mistake from the prime area.

In the 22nd minute, Namibia international Peter Shalulile was played in, as the Rockets defenders were caught napping. But his low cross was intercepted by the custodian.

The Rockets then gave away a free-kick on the edge of the area as Marcelo Allende was brought down. However, Nuno Santos just couldn’t find the back of the net much to the disappointment of the supporters.

Against the run of play, it was Galaxy who doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute. Thato Sibiya was beaten by Seluleko Mahlambi, and the latter committed a foul in the danger zone. The referee awarded the hosts a penalty, and Junior Zindoga sent Denis Onyango the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Galaxy survive to advance

Masandawana started the second half a better side hoping to get the two goals back and probable a winner. In the 47th minute, Malibongwe Khoza had space and time to force the custodian into a fine save.

Two minutes later, it was substitute Thapelo Morena who was fed the ball inside the area, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper who had no problem keeping it out.

The best chance came in the 50th minute when the lively Nuno Gomes beat his marker before setting up the unmarked Tashreeq Matthews. Once again, Eliezer Tape reacted fastes to send the ball out for unfruitful corner.

Galaxy held on to stop a flurry of attacks from Sundowns with legendary Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango pulling massive saves in the latter stages of the game but they were not enough to inspire his team to victory.

Orlando Pirates are now the remaining big team in the competition after Kaizer Chiefs’ elimination in the Round of 32.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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