Big spending Mamelodi Sundowns can thank their two-goal hero Surprise Moriri and a last-minute goal from Katlego Mphela for their place in the second round of the Nedbank Cup after they beat gutsy Carara Kicks 3-1 at the Griffons Rugby Stadium on Saturday.
Sundowns were given a big fright by the first-division side and appeared to still be getting over their hangover after their 2-0 thumping at the hands of Orlando Pirates in a league clash at Ellis Park on Wednesday night.
Kicks were never overawed and on the run of play in the first half deserved their 1-0 lead.
Kicks goalkeeper Edward More did will to save a well directed shot from Kurt Lentjies in the seventh minute.
But a minute later, Downs keeper Calvin Marlin was forced to deal with a dangerous shot from Akeem Olubambiro.
The Brazilians’ striker Diyo Sibisi had a great chance to score when he collected a cross from Vuyo Mere in the 15th minute, but with plenty of time Sibisi shot straight at the grateful More.
Nigerian Olubambiro was a constant danger and was fractionally wide with a good effort five minutes from the break.
But Olubambiro made no mistake when he took advantage of poor marking to put Kick into a 1-0 lead in injury time, giving Marlin no chance with a well directed shot.
Sundowns showed a lot more urgency at the start of the second half. More did well to prevent Moriri equalising in the 46th minute and three minutes later Lentjies ballooned a shot over the Kicks’ crossbar from close range.
Downs midfielder Jorge Acuna also left his shooting boots at home when he blasted wide on 57 minutes. The Welkom side suffered a huge setback in the 63rd minute when More was stretchered off the field after he bravely dived at Lentjies’ feet to block the Downs winger’s shot. More appeared to be caught on the chin by Lentjies’ knee when the players collided.
More was replaced by Kabelo Metsimetsi.
Then Kicks were rocked when referee Charl Theron awarded Downs a penalty in the 74th minute when Sibisi was fouled inside the penalty area and Moriri calmly stoked home the penalty to level the score.
Moriri then showed his class when he made it 2-1 when he was set up by substitute Benedict Vilakazi in the 77th minute with a goal which killed Kicks’ hopes of an upset.
Vilakazi, the former Pirates star, replaced the out of sorts Lentjies and made an immediate impact with his intelligent and creative play.
Downs added the final goal in the 90th minute when another substitute Mphela slotted home to make it 3-1. – Sapa