Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are into the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup, after beating Stellenbosch 3-2 after extra time.
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 aet Stellenbosch
Sundowns needed extra time to beat Stellenbosch 3-2 at Loftus Stadium.
Sage Stephens had to be alert to deny a deflected Lyle Lakay free kick in the 7th minute.
It was the visitors who struck first as Ashley Du Preez intercepted a pass in the 12th minute and raced into the box before beating Ricardo Goss in the Sundowns goal.
That lead was short-lived however as Peter Shalulile found the equaliser three minutes later, initially lobbing the charging Sage Stephens, before tapping the ball in simply.
Just before halftime Lakay came close from another free kick, but this time Stephens was assisted by the upright, and it remained 1-1 going into the break.
Stephens made two crucial saves with twenty minutes to go in regulation time, denying Shalulile from close range, before making a diving save to keep out Gaston Sirino.
Just after the 90 minute mark, he slotted home, finding the bottom left corner from just outside the box.
But it wasn’t over as Phathu Nange struck for the visitors after being superbly set up by Junior Mendieta, and the game went to extra time.
Extra time went much like the regulation time, with Sundowns having most of the ball, and Stellenbosch looking to counter.
In the 20th minute of extra time Shalulile was denied by the woodwork, his effort striking the upright.
With three minutes to go, Shalulile found the winner, he was set up by Lesedi Kapinga and the Namibian finished with aplomb. His second of the night.
Goss made a good save in the dying seconds as Sundowns progress to the next round.
In today’s other fixture Themba Chauke and Puleng Tlolane were on the scoresheet as Polokwane City beat Steenberg United 2-0 to reach the last 16.
