Mamelodi Sundowns avoided a scare against Gamora United of the Motsepe Foundation Championship, winning 2-1 at Loftus Versfeld in their Nedbank Cup round of 32 matchup on Wednesday.

Despite dominating possession with 78 per cent and registering 27 shots, with eight on target, the hosts could not get the scoreline to reflect their efforts at goal.

Coach Miguelo Cardoso fielded a strong side, with Reyaad Pieterse playing his first game for Sundowns since 27 September 2023.

Masandawana began the game trying their luck from long range against Gomora’s low block, with little success as Kutlwano Letlhaku and Malibongwe both failed to score in the 13th and 15th minutes respectively.

In the 22nd minute, Katlego Ntsabeleng’s left-footed curling effort hit the cross bar, narrowly missing the top left corner.

Peter Shalulile narrowly missed an opportunity to open the scoring in the 27th minute as he could not get a touch on Ntsabeleng’s cross at the near post.

Sundowns executed the same move one minute later as Bathusi Aubass whipped the ball in. This time, Shalulile made contact but could not steer it into the back of the net.

The Brazilians opened the scoring in the 41st minute, as Letlhaku ran to the byline, pulling the ball back into the middle of the area for the open Shalulile. The Namibian international made no mistake, poking it home off the underside of the crossbar.

However, the visitors managed to level matters before the halftime whistle, against the run of play. Mpho Maoke pressured and dispossessed Malibongwe Khoza at the edge of the Sundowns area and slotted the ball past Pieterse to pull Gomora level against all odds.

Masandawan returned from the dressing room motivated and nearly gained their lead back in the 55th minute. Aubrey Modiba’s cross found Shalulile, but his header did not have enough power to trouble Sidingo Nxumalo in goal.

The hosts restored their lead in the 62nd minute as Jayden Adams’ cross over the Gomora defence found Thapelo Morena, who timed his run to perfection and headed it home.

They should have doubled their lead in the 63rd minute as Modiba and Shalulile linked up again. The striker rose above his defender but could not direct his header on target.

In the 77th minute, substitute Tashreeq Matthews was played into the box by Arthur Sales but sent his effort from the right of the box over the bar.

Fellow substitute Miguel Reisinho had a chance of his own in the 82nd minute, bringing the ball down in the box with impressive control, but could not create the end-product.

Despite an unconvincing scoreline, Sundowns will march into the round of 16 with their opponent unclear until the draw for the next round.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Shalulile 41’, Morena 62’)

Gomora United (1) (Maoke 45+2’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Pieterse, G. Kekana, M. Khoza, B. Aubaas (T. Morena 46’), A. Modiba (F, Basadien 87’), J. Adams, S. Mkhulise, T. Zwane (M. Reisinho 71’), K. Ntsabeleng (A. Sales 46’), K. Letlhaku (T. Matthews 60’), P. Shalulile

Gomora United: S. Nxumalo, L. Mathembula, S. Timba, B. Kali (T. Makua 86’), S. Manganyi, M. Senwamadi, Z. Gxabuza (K. Mahloane 59’), K. Khoza, N. Mncube, T. Thutlwa (M. Macuphu 71’), M. Maoke (M. Xola 59’)