PIC: Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns will be appearing in the Nedbank Cup final for sixth time since 2008 when they take on Orlando Pirates in the 2024 decider at the Mbombela Stadium on June 1.
Here are some of the key numbers behind the Chloorkop club’s impressive campaign to date.
Most minutes
338 – Chilean international Marcelo Allende leads the club in number of minutes in the Nedbank Cup so far this season, but coach Rulani Mokwena has certainly spread the load through the squad. No fewer than 32 players have been used in the four matches to date, an astonishing number as Mokwena juggled several competitions at once.
Top scorer
3 – Gaston Sirino got a hattrick in the Last 32 win over NB La Masia while Thembinkosi Lorch has also scored three goals, including a brace against Maritzburg United. Those two head the scorers charts for the club this season – and are joint top of the overall Nedbank Cup list in 2024. No other player at Sundowns has scored more than once this season.
Most substitute appearances
3 – Lorch also has the high mark for most number of substitute appearances for Sundowns in this year’s competition. He has come off the bench three times to go with a single start. Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile (two each) are the only other players to come on as a sub more than once.
Oldest and youngest players used
38 – Veteran goalkeeper Dennis Onyango has been given a run in the Nedbank Cup this year and was 38 years, 10 months and 2 days when he played against Maritzburg United in the Last 16. He is not the oldest player overall this year, TS Galaxy defender Vuyo Mere (40 years old) and goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini (39) are both older.
17 – Forward Siyabonga Mabena has been the youngest player used by Sundowns this season, he was just 17 years, 1 month and 25 days when he played against University of Pretoria in the quarterfinals. He played last year too and was only just passed his 16th birthday when he featured in the quarterfinal loss to Stellenbosch FC.
Team goals scored
11 – Sundowns are averaging almost three goals per game in the competition this year, though that number was boosted by their 6-1 win over NB La Masia. They have also beaten Maritzburg United (2-0), edged AmaTuks on penalties (1-1) and defeated Stellenbosch (2-1).
Team goals conceded
3 – Sundowns have conceded three goals so far. Only keeping a clean sheet against Maritzburg. Given they have conceded just nine times in 25 league games this campaign that is quite a lot.
Disciplinary
11 yellows – Sundowns have had 11 bookings in this year’s competition, with only one player getting more than one. That is the nuggety Chilean Allende. There have been no red cards.
Scorers this season
3 goals – Thembinkosi Lorch, Gaston Sirino
1 – Matias Esquivel, Lebogang Maboe, Terrence Mashego, Khuliso Mudau, Lucas Ribeiro.
SOURCED FROM THE NEDBANK CUP WEBSITE.
