Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi didn’t expect many goals before the Brazilians’ Nedbank Cup last-32 match against Stellenbosch FC, which they won 3-2 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
Mngqithi had expected a 1-0 score line for whoever was going to win.
Peter Shalulile scored twice for Sundowns with the other goal coming from Gaston Sirino while Ashley du Preez and Phathutshedzo Nange netted for Stellies. The match went to extra time after the two teams had played to a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes.
“I must say that it was a very tough game. Honestly speaking, it was a game one didn’t expect five goals,” Mngqithi said.
“We made a mess of a game, but we knew it’s always going to be on edge because we were playing a team, which is good in counter attacks. Initially, I think we didn’t counter press enough in the early stages maybe first 20 minutes of the game.”
Stellies coach Steve Barker admitted that that was a tough game.
“Obviously, a hard fought match between two teams wanting to go to the next round. We were determined to have a good cup run. We drew Sundowns away, the most difficult fixture we got,” Barker said.
“We were on the back foot in extra time. Credit to Sundowns. Overall, I’m proud of the players and the commitment they put in. Obviously, I’m disappointed we got to lose in this manner.”
