Mamelodi Sundowns will turn their focus to the Nedbank Cup semi-final with a tricky match against Kaizer Chiefs lined up on Sunday, April 13.
Like it has been in the competition for the whole of this season, Sundowns will have home advantage again, as they welcome Chiefs at the Loftus Versfeld in what will be a fourth meeting against Nasreddine Nabi’s side this season.
Sundowns have secured wins in all the three previous meetings against the Glamour Boys and they are favourites to inflict another defeat on Nabi’s struggling Chiefs, who have not won any of their last four games.
The CAF Champions League semi-finalists have been flawless in their Nedbank Cup journey this season and are eyeing a second successive final and a first win since the 2021-22 season.
How have Sundowns made it to the semis?
Sundowns started their Nedbank Cup journey with an exciting match in the Round of 32 on January 25 when they beat lower league side Sibanye Golden Stars 5-2.
On the day, Sundowns took just two minutes to make their presence felt, when Prince Khoza scored the opener, before Tashreeq Matthews’ brace in the 15th and 41st minutes gave them a 3-0 lead at halftime.
However, Golden Stars nearly pulled off a memorable comeback when goals in the 54th and 61st minutes reduced the arrears to 3-2, but Arthur de Sales and Kobamelo Kodisang ensured victory for Sundowns, as they made it to the Round of 16, although Bathusi Aubaas was sent off in the 76th minute.
In the last 16, the Brazilians were handed home ground advantage again when they were paired with another lower league side in Mpheni Home Defenders.
Cardoso’s men made to wait for quarters date
Matthews was the hero and villain in the Round of 16 match as he scored the opening goal after eight minutes before Aubaas made it 2-0 in the 28th minute. Matthews was, however, sent off after 48 minutes.
Sundowns would set up a Nedbank Cup quarter-final meeting with Sekhukhune United. The game was initially set to be played on March 8 but was cancelled after the match venue, Lucas Moripe Stadium, had also been booked for another match on the same day.
The match would be squeezed into a tight schedule for Sundowns, being slotted in on March 28, just after the international break, a decision that angered coach Miguel Cardoso.
Sundowns played nonetheless but had to work really hard for their win as Babina Noko took the match to extra time, where Jayden Adams sealed a 1-0 win after 119 minutes, after Sekhukhune goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner had pulled off countless saves as they looked set to take the match to penalties.
