Thembinkosi Lorch scored twice to guide Mamelodi Sundowns into the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after claiming a 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening.

Rulani Mokwena was without five key players for this game due to injury, including Lucas Ribeiro, Siyanda Nyanga, Thapelo Maseko, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, and Junior Mendieta.

The Brazilians showed their intent early on when Marcelo Allende unleashed a shot from distance in the sixth minute but saw his effort sail over the crossbar.

Dumsani Msibi came to Maritzburg’s rescue in the 10th minute when he made a great save to deny Gaston Sirino’s curling effort at goal.

Play came to a halt in the 14th minute due to weather conditions in and around the stadium before play was resumed once the weather settled down.

Bathusi Aubaas had a chance to hand Sundowns the lead just before the break up blazed his effort over the cross after latching on to a loose ball in the area.

The game went into the half-time break with the socreline locked at goalless.

Maritzburg made opted to bring on fresh legs at the restart as Sanele Gaxa was brought on to replace Reagan Claude Van der ross.

Sundowns should have taken the lead in the 52nd minute when Mudau surged into the box to pick out Maboe, who unleashed a first-time shot but his effort was blocked by the Maritzburg defenders.

Msibi came to his side’s rescue again in the 57th minute when he made a good save to deny Esquivel, who was played through on goal.

Sundowns made their first change of the game in the 61st minute when Esquivel was taken off and replaced by Peter Shalulile before Maritzburg brought on Zukile Kewuti, Siboniso Conco and Bongumusa Nkosi for Musaka, Sithole and Kamatuka three minutes later.

Mokwena made a double change in the 71st minute as Sirino and Maboe was taken off a replaced by Sipho Mbule and Kutlwano Letlhaku, who made his debut for Sundowns.

Sundowns eventually took the lead three minutes later when he fired the ball into the back of the net after turning the defender inside the box to make it 1-0.

The Tshwane giants put the game beyond the Team of Choice in stoppage time when Lorch latched on to a loose ball in the area to slot the ball into the back of the net to complete his brace and fire his side into the next round of the competition.

Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix