Mamelodi Sundowns eased into the last 16 round of the Nedbank Cup with a 6-1 annihilation of Motsepe Foundation Championship side NB La Masia at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Lebogang Maboe set up Gaston Sirino twice in the 18th and 39th minutes as the Uruguayan grabbed a first half brace, while also grabbing goal himself in the second half when he completed a hat-trick after being set-up by Thembinkosi Lorch.
New signing Matias Esquivel also stared in the match, as he got his first goal in Sundowns colours from a stunning free-kick from outside the box in the 22nd minute, while he assisted of Sundwons’ third goal, which was grabbed by Terrence Mashego in the 26th minute.
La Masia reduced the deficit 10 minutes later after Marcelo Allende fouled Faud Johnson in the box and they were given a penalty which Johnson easily slotted home.
Sundowns could have scored much earlier in the game from a set-piece through Junior Mendieta but his shot went over the bar.
Meanwhile Daine Klate’s charges had chances in the last five minutes of the first half to reduce the score-line with three free-kicks in good areas but nothing came of the set-pieces leaving Sundowns in total control at the break.
The four-time Nedbank Cup champions picked up where they left off in the second stanza with a good team goal started by Esquivel then to Sirino who found Maboe which grabbed the fifth goal three minutes into the half.
Maboe could have completed a hat-trick of assists when he found substitute Lorch in the 52nd minute but the latter could not find the back of the net.
La Masia didn’t just throw in towel, four minutes after the hour match Gregory Roelf took a shot from range after seeing Dennis Onyango out of position but his shot went wide.
It was Sundowns who scored once more in the half as Lorch found Sirino who scored his third of the match and the sixth for Rhulani Mokwena’s side in the 69th minute to help Sundowns progress.