Mpheni Defenders player during the game against Sundowns (photo by Thuso cam cam media)
By: Refilwe Sebola
ABC Motsepe League side Mpheni Defenders FC has been eliminated from the Nedbank Cup after suffering a 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last Sunday.
The determined second-division team was the only amateur club remaining in the prestigious competition, facing a formidable opponent in the former African champions.
Sundowns began the match with a youthful lineup, choosing to rest their top players. This decision initially led to a shaky performance as their younger team struggled to connect on the pitch.
However, they eventually found their rhythm and took control of the game, attempting to break through Mpheni’s low-block defensive strategy. The Elim-based team employed a counter-attacking system but appeared to suffer from stage fright in the early stages, making it difficult for themselves to establish their usual passing combinations when in possession.
Once Sundowns scored the opener in the seventh minutes of the game through Tashreeq Matthews in the first half, Mpheni began to show a competitive spirit. Key players, including captain Sandile Nyundu, Lucky Buasi, and Rophney “Rover” Hlungwane, started to find their footing and influence the game.
Mpheni had opportunities to score at least two goals but were unlucky, with two of their best chances by Buasi and hitting the upright and the crossbar, respectively. They also felt aggrieved when the referee denied two penalty claims.
Sundowns’ Bathusi Aubaas scored a brilliant goal past goalkeeper Buhle Thompson from inside the big box in the 26th minutes of the first half, solidifying the scoreline at 2-0.
In the second half, Coach Vhutshilo Phuravhathu’s team came back strong, creating several goal-scoring opportunities but failed to find the net. Standout players included Gift “Gito” Nemutandani, who came on in the second half, as well as Lucky Buasi and the ever-vibrant Sandile Nyundu.
This marks the second time Mpheni has been eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup by a Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, having lost to Chippa United by the same score two years ago. Coach Phuravhathu stated that his team is now focused on improving their performance in the league. They currently sit in sixth place with 20 points from 11 games, eight points adrift of log leaders Vondwe XI Bullets, who have played 13 games.