Vasco crush Mbombela Utd
First Division outfit Vasco da Gama cruised into the Nedbank Cup last 16 with a thumping 4-1 victory over amateur side Mbombela United at Kanyamazane Stadium, outside Nelspruit, on Sunday.
The underdog hosts seemed eager to prove a point and controlled possession for much of the first half.
A shot at goal by Mbombela dangerman Charles Mogashwa, from just inside the area, almost caught Vasco keeper Shane Kock offguard, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar.
Mogashwa had another opportunity three minutes later when he received a cross from winger Quinton Wallace, but he failed to hit the target.
The deadlock was broken in the 10th minute when George Akpabi sent a chip over keeper Sibusiso Masuku to give the visitors an early lead.
Jonathan Fransman extended their advantage midway through the first half with a well-placed deflection off a Geofrey Serunkuma cross which left the Mbombela custodian frozen in his tracks.
Mbombela hit back in the 25th minute when Mogashwa scored from the penalty spot after Nathan Gertse and Angelo Julius had brought down Mbombela winger Thuso Shuping in the box.
The home side charged out from the halftime break and immediately placed Vasco on the back foot, with Inky Masuku narrowly missing a possible equaliser.
Fransman, however, stretched the lead for Vasco with less than half an hour left, securing his brace off a rebound following an attempt by teammate Akpadio.
With the visitors commanding a 3-1 lead with just 15 minutes remaining, Mbombela seemed to lose focus and handed the visitors control, albeit not possession, for the majority of the second period.
Nathan Gertse single handedly dribbled through the home team's defence, beating three players plus the keeper to put the result beyond doubt.
