Shalulile chases PSL goal record as Downs face Sekhukhune in Cup quarters

FRIDAY’S Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium 7pm kick-off is set against a backdrop of a prize scoring between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United in league matches this season.

- HERMAN GIBBS

Sundowns have dominated their attacking prowess, with dominant 3-0 and 4-2 victories, racking up a staggering nine goals in two encounters.

With the prospect of a semi-final berth looming, another high-scoring game could propel this clash into the spotlight.

Historically, the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals have been low goal-scoring affairs, but recent trends suggest an upward scoring trajectory.

This season alone, 82 goals have been scored across 26 ties, averaging an impressive 3.23 goals per game.

The prospect of a goal-fest will be music to the ears of Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile, who goes into Friday’s match two goals shy of equalling the Premier Soccer League’s record tally.

Syabonga Nomvethe, who played for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, holds the record for the most goals in the PSL with 123 in all top-flight matches since the launch of the league in 1996.

Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns’ Portuguese coach, again faces the challenge of fielding exhausted returning players from international duty.

The club had seven players with Bafana Bafana and two (Shalulile and Deon Hotto) with Namibia.