Mamelodi Sundowns booked their spot in the MTN8 semi-finals after defeating Polokwane City 1-0 in extra-time on Sunday afternoon.
MTN8
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Polokwane City
Date: 11 August 2024
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Sundowns did not name any new signings in the squad, as Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Tashreeq Matthews led the attack. City, meanwhile, had their star attacker, linked with various teams in the transfer news Oswin Appollis on the bench.
The Brazilians had plenty of space to exploit in the early exchanges, as within the first six minutes Costa had an overhead kick that was parried over the crossbar by goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga.
As the hosts kept on coming, Shalulile came the closest in the first quarter with two efforts that came off the two poles, separated by two minutes.
Rise and Shine only broke away on the half-hour mark and nearly broke the deadlock after Cole Alexander's header from a rebound was parried just wide by shot-stopper Denis Onyango after he saved a one-on-one situation.
Phuti Mohafe's charges were able to interrupt Sundowns' flow but it was in their own half and The Brazilians almost broke the deadlock just before the interval after Shalulile guided a free header slightly wide of the far post.
For all your exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here
Masandawana took time before they got going from the break but Mosa Lebusa came close on the hour-mark with a strike that was cleared off the line.
Manqoba Mngqithi eventually made a change after that as Themba Zwane replaced Matthews for fresh legs in attack.
City had a lot of space on counter-attacks and a few minutes later second-half substitute Appollis had a good chance after he beat the offside trap and raced clear but he could not direct his lob towards the gaping goals.
Rise and Shine dropped deeper but they were still dangerous on counter-attacks after Sundowns, with eight minutes left, were reduced to ten men after Onyango was red-carded after he denied Polokwane a clear goal-scoring opportunity after he saved Decide Chauke's shot with his hands outside of the box.
The Brazilians had used all their substitution slots and Lebusa took Onyango's jersey and gloves and went into goals.
Zwane had a big chance to snatch the winner for Masandawana in added time after he went through on goal but he blasted his volley over the crossbar and the sides went to extra-time after a goalless draw in regulation time.
The Tshwane giants had an extra substitute that they could make in extra-time and they eventually brought on shot-stopper Jody February and sacrificed Terrence Mashego.
With tired legs on the pitch, Sundowns eventually went ahead ten minutes into extra-time after Thabang Matuludi miscued a clearance into his own net.
City looked to make amends after mostly chasing Sundowns' passing game and in the dying minutes Appollis had a good opportunity with a low shot in the box that was saved by February.
Masandawana kept a good defensive shape in the end as they held on to a narrow win and went through to the semi-finals.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Lebusa, Mokoena, Coetzee, Mashego, Mudau, Modiba, Allende, Riberio, Matthews, Shalulile.
Subs: February, Kekana, Morena, Nku, Mkhulise, Zwane, Mabena, Maseko, Maema
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Nkwe, Nikani, Nkaki, Matuludi, Maphangule, Chauke, Alexander, Dlamini, Kambala, Ramabu.
Subs: Bwire, Maswansanyi, Ndlovu, Baloyi, Marema, Sithole, Ntamane, Tshabalala, Appollis.
