Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs on penalties following a 2-2 draw in a MTN8 quarter-final match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The victory booked Masandawana’s spot in the semifinals of the competition alongside Lamontville Golden Arrows and Swallows FC, while the Amakhosi bowed out of the tournament.
Sundowns dominated the match from the first whistle with the hosts looking to deliver crosses from the flanks for their target-man, Peter Shalulile.
The move paid off in the ninth minute as Lyle Lakay played a pin-point cross which was headed home by Shalulile to hand Sundowns a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The Brazilians were dominating the battle in the middle of the park and midfield general Motho Mvala played a delightful pass for Themba Zwane which penetrated the Amakhosi defence and resulted in a second soon after.
Zwane had the time and space to unleash a low powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune hands down to make it 2-0 to Sundowns seven minutes before the half-hour mark.
However, Chiefs managed to pull a goal back when Njabulo Blom delivered a quality cross which was headed home by Bernard Parker to make it 2-1 in the 38th minute.
Chiefs continued to improve following the interval and in an attempt to find the equaliser head coach Stuart Baxter introduced Keagan Dolly, who made an instant impact on his debut for Amakhosi.
The Bafana Bafana international played a defence-splitting pass for fellow former Sundowns player Khama Billiat, who then fired past keeper Kennedy Mweene to make it 2-2 in the 59th minute.
Sundowns’ co-head coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena reacted by introducing their new Slovakian centre forward Pavol Safranko with the Tshwane giants determined to restore their lead.
It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages as Khune made a smart save from Neo Maema’s shot-cum-cross and Mweene pulled off a fine save to deny Phathutshedzo Nange at the other end.
With no further goals forthcoming and the score locked at 2-2 after regulation time, extra-time followed.
There were no goals in the additional 30 minutes with Khune making a great save to deny Lakay, while Mweene produced a comfortable save from Samir Nurkovic’s shot. As a result, the game would be decided from the penalty spot.
Sundowns went on to win 2-1 on penalties with Mweene denying Daniel Cardoso, Nurkovic, Erick Mathoho and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo while finding the back of the net himself to emerge as the hero on the day.
Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 2 (Shalulile 9′, Zwane 23′)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Parker 38, Billiat 59′)
Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Blom, Hlanti, Mathoho, Cardoso, Nange (Agay 91′), Billiat (N.Ngcobo 98′), Alexander (Frosler 104′), Nurkovic, Sekgota (Dolly 59′), Parker (Radebe 98′).
Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Mudau (Morena 89′), Lakay, De Reuck, Lebusa, Coetzee (Kutumela 105′), Mvala (Jali 64′), Domingo (Maema 74′), Zwane, Modiba (Safranko 64′), Shalulile.© Backpage TXT
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