Sundowns look to avoid upset against Mathaithai

by Staff Reporter

Monday Mar 07, 2022. 16:00

Mamelodi Sundowns will lock horns with Mathaithai FC in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 6:00 pm CAT.

Masandawana booked their spot in this round of the competition after they defeated GladAfrica Championship side Richards Bay 4-0 away in the Last 32 encounter on February 4.

They are five-time winners of the South African FA Cup (Nedbank Cup) having won this tournament in 1986, 1998, 2008, 2015 and 2020.

However, Sundowns will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face Mathaithai having lost 2-1 to Maritzburg United away in the DStv Premiership match on Saturday night.

Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile are some of the reigning South African champions’ most influential players and they could be key to Masandawana defeating Mathaithai.

Meanwhile, Mathaitha are making their debut appearance in the Nedbank Cup and they are campaigning in the third tier of South African football, ABC Motsepe League (Free State province).

Nicknamed Sebete Boys, Mathaithai progressed to the Last 16 after securing a comfortable 2-0 win over ABC Motsepe League (Northern Cape province) side NC Professionals away on February 12.

Sebete Boys’ most recent match which was a Motsepe League clash against Super Eagles was called off in the 80th minute due to bad lighting at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium on Thursday.

Some of their key players are Sabata Monele and Teboho Modise having both scored against Professionals and they will be keen to replicate the same form against Sundowns.

N/A – This will be the first competitive meeting of Sundowns and Mathaithai.