Gaston Sirino scored a hattrick as Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the Nedbank Cup last 16 with a 6-1 win against La Masia at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday.
Sundowns made eight changes from the side that started in the 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates over the weekend.
LA MASIA HUMBLED DESPITE A NEDBANK CUP LAST 32 FIGHT AGAINST MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The Motsepe Foundation Championship side looked determined to give Masandawana a fight in the early stages. But Sundowns showed their class with four girls in the first half.
Gaston Sirino was the first on the score sheet in the 18th minute. New signing Matías Esquivel doubled the lead for the visitors with a stunning free-kick outside the 18-area box.
Terrence Mashego added the third in the 27th minute, his first at Sundowns since joining last season. The hosts got some hope when they were awarded a penalty kick after a foul by Marcelo Allende. Fuad Johnson slotted home to make it 3-1.
But Sundowns were not done with goals and grabbed a fourth via Sirino with an assist by Lebogang Maboe to make it 4-1 at the halftime break.
Sundowns continued where they left off in the second half and quickly grabbed a fifth through Maboe. Sirino carried his third of the match and the sixth for Sundowns with 20 minutes remaining.
THE LIST OF MASANDAWANA PLAYERS RULED OUT OF THE MATCH DUE TO INJURIES
Sundowns also issued an Injury update on some of the players missing from the match-day squad.
Mothobi Mvala: Ankle Injury, Stage two rehabilitation
Rushine De Reuck: Quad Injury, Stage Two Rehab
Khuliso Mudau: Ankle Injury, Stage One Rehab
Rivaldo Coetzee: Knee Injury, Stage three rehab
Sammy Seabi: Adductor Injury, Stage Three Rehab
Siyanda Nyanga: Knee Injury, Day Four Post Surgery
Lesiba Nku, Adductor Injury, Stage One Rehab
Themba Zwane: Hamstring Injury, Stage One Rehab
Thapelo Maseko: Hamstring Injury, stage three rehabilitation
Lucas Ribeiro: Adductor Tightness, Stage four Rehab
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