Vasco da Gama booked a place in the last-16 stage of the prestigious Nedbank Cup competition by beating Bellevue Winners Park 3-2 at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday.
As if they were campaigning in the same division, Winners Park managed to match their elder brothers pound for pound from the onset. Winners Park played the first 15 minutes of the game with their backs against the wall. At that stage, the visitors from Cape Town were unstoppable. Winners Park gained momentum and took the game to their opponents as the game progressed.
The home side took the lead in the 40th minute. Their dribbling wizard, Velile "Mlungu" Mdaka, dribbled past two defenders and beat the keeper, Steven Hoffman, with a ground cutter.
Winners Park were the first to effect a change to their starting line-up. They introduced Lebohang Sithole for Ronald Mohale three minutes into the second half. Vasco found the equalizer in the 54th minute. Their slender striker, Jonathan Armogam, finished off a rebound, after Sibusiso Mokoena tried his luck from the edge of the box. Velile Mdaka was reprimanded with a card for dangerous play soon afterwards.
Winners Park scored again in the 67th minute. They were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Khomotso Masia headed home after Blessing Maluleke's free kick. Vasco da Gama found the equalizer seven minutes before the final whistle.
An extra 30 minutes was added. Winners Park were reduced to 10 men when Velile Mdaka was given his marching orders for simulation. Winners Park played defensive football and left their bulldozer striker, Rendani Madega, at the forefront. They scored the winning goal via Thabani Mthembu in the dying minutes.
Sam Ndlovu, the Winners Park midfielder, was rewarded for his good play when he was announced as the Man of the Match.