Nedbank Cup: Gaston Sirino hits hat-trick as Sundowns outclass La Masia

Terrence Mashego and Lebohang Maboe were the other Sundowns players to hit the back of the net as the Premiership outfit outclassed their Motsepe Foundation Championship opponents, who got a consolation goal through a Fuad Johnson penalty.

Sirino started the scoring spree in the 18th minute before January signing Esquivel struck a beautiful free-kick to double the lead.

Mashego added his name to the scorers list just before the half-hour mark but a lapse in concentration saw Marcelo Allende commit a foul inside the box allowing Johnson to pull a goal back from the penalty spot.

Masandawana though reasserted their dominance quickly and Sirino scored his second goal of the evening as the South African champions went into the break with a commanding 4-1 lead.

The second-half proved to be a similar one-sided affair and Maboe extended the lead soon after the interval after being teed up by Sirino.

The attacking midfielder then completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining, sweeping in a low cross from substitute Thembinkosi Lorch. 

The match would have been a fruitful exercise for Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena who gave several fringe players some valuable game time as they once again anticipate a congested fixture list.

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