NEDBANK CUP: Ronwen Williams saves Mamelodi Sundowns’ blushes with penalty-shootout win over AmaTuks

True to form, It was Sundowns who enjoyed the much brighter start. Brazilian import Lucas Ribeiro Costa found himself in space outside the area and produced an absolutely stunning curling shot that found the back of the net after just eight minutes.

But the Students were not to be denied and displayed an impressive fight as they dragged themselves back into the encounter on the half-hour mark. Sundowns failed to deal with a long ball into the area, that was flicked on by Kamogelo Pheeane for Delano Abrahams, who fired the ball home from close range.

Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena was unlucky to not score before the break, but his accurate free-kick drew a decent save from AmaTuks goalkeeper Edward Maova.

The second half saw AmaTuks defend valiantly, with Sundowns failing to break it down. In fact, the students almost caught the heavyweights on the break and Abrahams nearly got a second just eight minutes from time, forcing a great save from Bafana captain Ronwen Williams.

In extra time, Maova was called on once again, this time tipping a Bathusi Aubaas effort over the crossbar.

In the penalty shootout, Williams was the hero for the Brazilians, saving two spot kicks while Peter Shalulie drilled the winning penalty to bring the odyssey to an end.