Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals following their 6-0 thrashing of ABC Motsepe League side Mathaithai FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sundowns made a number of changes to their side that lost to Maritzburg United as the likes of Themba Zwane, Surprise Ralani, Thabiso Kutumela, Reyaad Pieterse, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala and Neo Maema were all named in the starting lineup.
The Brazilians got off to the perfect start and broke the deadlock inside the first minute after Surprise Ralani slotted home a rebounded shot.
Sundowns managed to double their lead three minutes later when Themba Zwane found the back of the net with a first time finish inside the box to make it 2-0.
The home side had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 24th minute when Aubrey Modiba floated one in for Zwane, who in turn laid the ball down for Kutumela inside the box and has a go at goal only for his first time hit shot to sail just wide of goal.
Sundowns should have extended their lead in the 36th minute when Kutumela cut the ball back to Maema, who fired his effort just over the bar from inside the box.
Mathaithai had a chance of their own in the 42nd minute but Reyaad Pieterse was alive to the danger as he made a good save to deny the ABC Motsepe League side as the game went into the half time break.
Rushine De Reuck should have extended Sundowns’ lead early in the second half when he rose the highest only to his header crash off the crossbar.
Mkhulise’s evening came to an end in the 54th minute after he left the field with an injury and was subsequently replaced by Sibusiso Vilakazi before they made two more substitutions by bringing on Brian Onyango and Kermit Erasmus for De Reuck and Zwane.
Sundowns eventually added a third goal in the 66th minute when Kutumela found the back of the net with a tap in from close range to make it 3-0.
Kutumela then completed his brace in the 72nd minute when he rounded keeper Mbali Tshabalala to slot the ball home for Sundowns’ fourth goal of the match.
Meama looked to get in on the action seven minutes later with a powerful shot at goal but the attacker was unable to bypass the Mathaithai goalkeeper.
Lebohang Maboe marked his return with a bang as he scored Sundowns’ fifth goal in the 84th minute with a delightful chip over Tshabalala to find the net before Andile Jali grabbed their sixth goal with a wonderful strike from distance four minutes later.
Sundowns managed to hold on to their six goal lead until the final whistle at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to book their place in the next round of the competition.