Mamelodi Sundowns cruised to a 6-0 win over Mathaithai FC to advance to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
A match-up that was truly a David and Goliath clash that had many reminiscent of the 24-0 match-up when Masandawana took on Powerlines – but the third-tier side managed to hold their own.
A brace from Thabiso Kutumela and goals from Bradley Ralani, Themba Zwane, Lebo Maboe and Andile Jali saw the South African champions cruise past the minnows at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sundowns managed to rest a few of their first-team stars but the exclusion of Geoge Maluleka was a particular talking point before kickoff.
However, they managed to produce a thoroughly professional performance as Ralani and Zwane scored in the opening four minutes which looked to be setting up a massacre in Tshwane.
But their less illustrious opposition managed to hold their own all the way until the 66th minute in the second half when Thabiso Kutumela slotted the third.
Six minutes later he bagged his brace and Lebo Maboe – who recently returned to the squad after a long-term injury layoff – added a late fifth before Andile Jali’s cracking late strike added gloss to the scoreline for the sixth.
The Brazilians now advance to the last-eight of the competition as they continue to challenge for every trophy on offer this season, having already secured the MTN8.
Sundowns XI: Pieterse, Lunga, De Reuck, Kekana, Modiba, Mvala, Mkhulise, Zwane, Ralani, Maema, Kutumela.
Mathaithai XI: Tshabalala, Khanya, Letsane, Malao, Jafta, Khahleli, Sephiri, Manele, Seerpamore, Modise, Segalo.
