Reinildo Mandava outlines Sunderland’s FA Cup ambition ahead of fourth-round trip to Oxford United
Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava has underlined the importance of the FA Cup ahead of the Black Cats’ fourth-round trip to Oxford United on Sunday.
The competition carries deep significance on Wearside. Sunderland have not lifted the trophy since their famous 1973 triumph, though they reached the final in 1992 and the semi-final in 2004. It remains a tournament that stirs genuine emotion among supporters.
Mandava made clear he fully appreciates that history and the scale of the challenge awaiting Le Bris’ side. “Since I was a kid I watched too much Premier League. FA Cup also. I know it’s a big competition so we will give everything. It’s a tough pitch to play there in Oxford. It will be an intense game. But we are ready to fight, just like every day.”
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The Mozambican also revealed that Régis Le Bris has already addressed the squad about the significance of the tie, particularly given Sunderland’s defeat at the same venue last season. “The manager talked and explained to us how important this cup is for us and the club. We know it will be a hard, hard game, but we will take all of our guns to go there and fight.
“Last season we lost there against them. So we have another opportunity to go and show different things and play to win. That’s why we are working every day, we are working to win [the cup]. That’s why I’m telling you that we go there to give everything because we know the importance of this cup for the team and we’ll keep going and fighting until the end.”
Sunderland’s FA Cup history and beyond
Founded in 1879 as Sunderland and District Teachers AFC, Sunderland quickly grew into one of the dominant forces of early English football. By the turn of the 20th century, they had established themselves as a powerhouse, winning six First Division titles in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913 and 1936, while finishing runners-up on five occasions. The club also lifted the FA Cup in 1937 and later claimed the Charity Shield in 1936, cementing their status among the elite of the English game.
Sunderland’s most famous triumph came in 1973. Then a Second Division side, they stunned Don Revie’s all-conquering Leeds United 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Ian Porterfield’s first-half volley proved decisive, but the victory is just as fondly remembered for goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery’s extraordinary double save. It remains one of the great cup upsets in English football history, and Sunderland’s last major trophy to date. That victory earned the club a place in the European Cup Winners’ Cup - their only appearance in European competition. They defeated Vasas Budapest before exiting to Sporting CP in the second round.
The decades that followed were turbulent. Sunderland reached League Cup finals in 1985 and 2014 but fell short on both occasions. In 1987, they were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history - a low ebb. Under chairman Bob Murray and manager Denis Smith, the club recovered quickly, returning to the top flight in 1990 in extraordinary circumstances after Swindon Town’s promotion was revoked. They also reached the 1992 FA Cup final as a Second Division club, but there was no repeat of 1973 as Liverpool prevailed 2-0. Despite ups and downs, Sunderland’s history remains rich with resilience, revival and unforgettable moments.
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