Sundowns, Highlands book TKO quarter-final spots

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Oct 20, 2019. 18:29

Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park recorded victories in the 2019 Telkom Knockout Cup Round of 16 on Sunday.

Sundowns proved too strong for AmaZulu FC in an encounter which was played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane.

The hosts were leading 1-0 at half-time thanks to Jose Ali Meza’s 45th-minute goal after the Usuthu defence was exposed.

Pitso Mosimane’s side ran rampant in the second half after Mario Booysen netted an own goal to make it 2-0 to Sundowns.

Gaston Sirino then grabbed two goals to extend Sundowns’ lead to 4-0 as AmaZulu struggled to contain the reigning Absa Premiership champions.

Sundowns’ 5-0 victory was then sealed by Mauricio Affonso with a header with 87th minute.

Meanwhile, Highlands Park secured a hard-fought win over Black Leopards in a match which took place at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

The two teams attacked each other in the first-half, but they could not find the back and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

A second-half which was dominated by Highlands followed as they created chances, Tendai Ndoro and his teammates were wasteful.

Ultimately, the match went into extra-time, but there were no goals and a penalty shootout followed.

Highlands emerged 6-5 winners on penalties after the encounter ended in a 0-0 stalemate on the day.

Sundowns and Highlands joined Kaizer Chiefs, Maritzburg United, SuperSport United in the quarter-finals.

The last Round of 16 match will be played on Tuesday with Chippa United hosting Bloemfontein Celtic