Pretoria - Following their hard fought win against their Tshwane rivals the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Hlompho Kekana has praised his team-mates for their character and fighting spirit.
The Brazilians eliminated AmaTuks from this year’s Telkom Knock-Out competition in the last 16 encounter played at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
"'It was a tough game of football," said Kekana.
"I couldn’t breathe properly after a tough 120 minutes. It wasn’t an easy game for us but we managed to absorb the pressure.
"AmaTuks stuck to their game-plan and it really worked for them. That’s why the game went to extra-time.
"It’s always difficult for us to play our normal game against AmaTuks but we are happy to progress to the next round of the competition."
Sundowns left it until the extra-time period to book a place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 triumph following a 1-all stalemate in regulation time.
Elias Pelembe and Themba Zwane were on target for Pitso Mosimane’s charges as Tuks found the net through Godfrey Massa.
The reigning PSL champions will meet AmaZulu in the last eight of the R4.25m competition.
Dates and times for the quarter-final clashes are yet to be confirmed.
The Brazilians eliminated AmaTuks from this year’s Telkom Knock-Out competition in the last 16 encounter played at the Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
"'It was a tough game of football," said Kekana.
"I couldn’t breathe properly after a tough 120 minutes. It wasn’t an easy game for us but we managed to absorb the pressure.
"AmaTuks stuck to their game-plan and it really worked for them. That’s why the game went to extra-time.
"It’s always difficult for us to play our normal game against AmaTuks but we are happy to progress to the next round of the competition."
Sundowns left it until the extra-time period to book a place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 triumph following a 1-all stalemate in regulation time.
Elias Pelembe and Themba Zwane were on target for Pitso Mosimane’s charges as Tuks found the net through Godfrey Massa.
The reigning PSL champions will meet AmaZulu in the last eight of the R4.25m competition.
Dates and times for the quarter-final clashes are yet to be confirmed.