Thami Nqolobe
Thami Nqolobe
Though FC Cape Town were booted out of the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, coach John Ferreira has praised his charges for their splendid perfomance against Mamelodi Sundowns.
FC Cape Town were beaten 2-0 by Sundowns in extra-time after the game had ended goalless in regulation time.
The match, watched by a mere 5000 spectators, was played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
Trott Moloto's side struggled for the better part of the game and were made to look like an ordinary team from the amateur ranks.
The home side's 4-4-2 formation confused the Brazilians, especially in the middle of the park. They made midfielders Esrom Nyandoro and Jorge Acuna work overtime.
Ferreira was right to say his players should have wrapped the game up in the ninth minute when striker Theo Shiluvane received the ball inside the opponents' box but delayed instead of shooting for goal. Sundowns defender Michael Manzini cleared the ball from his feet.
Another scoring chance was fluffed in the 10th minute when Michael Mntuyedwa failed to score when his shot flew over the bar following a corner taken by Shiluvane.
"We had our chances in the first 45 minutes and we made Sundowns sweat but we could not put the ball into the net.
"My boys played above themselves. Unfortunately, the game went into extra time and lack of experience and fatigue helped Sundowns to beat us," said Ferreira.
The Brazilians' mentor, Moloto, admitted that their opponents gave his team a tough time.
"These guys were well organised and meant business from the onset as they forced my guys to defend.
"They were all over us but experience helped us to advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup," said a relieved Moloto.
In the 95th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty by referee Jonas Nhlapo after the hosts' defender, Breslyn Hempe, brought down Lerato Chabangu inside the box and Surprise Moriri's spot kick gave Sundown the lead.
Substitute Peter Ndlovu sealed the game in the 104th minute when his shot hit the net, making the final score 2-0.
Downs advance
Thami Nqolobe
Thami Nqolobe
Though FC Cape Town were booted out of the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, coach John Ferreira has praised his charges for their splendid perfomance against Mamelodi Sundowns.
FC Cape Town were beaten 2-0 by Sundowns in extra-time after the game had ended goalless in regulation time.
The match, watched by a mere 5000 spectators, was played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday evening.
Trott Moloto's side struggled for the better part of the game and were made to look like an ordinary team from the amateur ranks.
The home side's 4-4-2 formation confused the Brazilians, especially in the middle of the park. They made midfielders Esrom Nyandoro and Jorge Acuna work overtime.
Ferreira was right to say his players should have wrapped the game up in the ninth minute when striker Theo Shiluvane received the ball inside the opponents' box but delayed instead of shooting for goal. Sundowns defender Michael Manzini cleared the ball from his feet.
Another scoring chance was fluffed in the 10th minute when Michael Mntuyedwa failed to score when his shot flew over the bar following a corner taken by Shiluvane.
"We had our chances in the first 45 minutes and we made Sundowns sweat but we could not put the ball into the net.
"My boys played above themselves. Unfortunately, the game went into extra time and lack of experience and fatigue helped Sundowns to beat us," said Ferreira.
The Brazilians' mentor, Moloto, admitted that their opponents gave his team a tough time.
"These guys were well organised and meant business from the onset as they forced my guys to defend.
"They were all over us but experience helped us to advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup," said a relieved Moloto.
In the 95th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty by referee Jonas Nhlapo after the hosts' defender, Breslyn Hempe, brought down Lerato Chabangu inside the box and Surprise Moriri's spot kick gave Sundown the lead.
Substitute Peter Ndlovu sealed the game in the 104th minute when his shot hit the net, making the final score 2-0.