MTN8 Semi-Final Report: Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows 28 September 2021

Mamelodi Sundowns cruised into the MTN8 final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday evening.

MTN8 Semi-Final

Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Golden Arrows (4-1 on aggregate)

Date: 28 September 2021

Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium

ivine Lunga ran out for his debut as Pavol Safranko replaced Kermit Erasmus up top in the Sundowns' starting lineup, while Reyaad Pieterse came in for Denis Onyango.

The league leaders made an ideal start as they took the lead with four minutes gone. They picked up the second ball after going long and Peter Shalulile found Thabiso Kutumela in the box, who had a shot parried before Shalulile rounded Sifiso Mlungwana to tap home the opener.

Two minutes later, Pieterse made a fantastic save to keep the hosts' lead intact when Thabani Zuke drove a low shot from distance and the Downs gloveman did well to get down to his right to push the effort around the post.

The Brazilians were playing with a real fire and came close to doubling their lead when Kutumela played a lovely one-two with Themba Zwane and fired to the near post forcing Mlungwana into a save low down.

Lunga made it a dream debut against his former side as he grabbed the Brazilians' second. Kutumela delivered a perfect free-kick from the left and the Zimbabwean left-back rose highest to head home.

Abafana Bes'thende were chasing shadows and shortly before the interval, Kutumela's glancing diving header hit the far post upright and bounced away to safety.

Check out the deals that did not happen during the window!

Ruzaigh Gamildien's move from Kaizer Chiefs to Swallows fell through.

Benni McCarthy's attempts to sign Argentine forward Facundo Juarez failed.

The Siya crew was told that Sundowns enquired about Ronwen Williams, but a move did not happen.

Sundowns were interested in SuperSport United's Sipho Mbule, though the transfer did not happen.

SuperSport's Teboho Mokoena was a key target for Sundowns, but a deal did not happen.

A move to Cape Town City did not happen for Sundowns' Promise Mkhuma on deadline day.

Chippa United coach Gavin Hunt was unable to sign transfer target Tashreeq Morris on deadline day.

Gaston Sirino attracted interest from Al Ahly, but remains a Sundowns player.

Chippa United showed an interest in Soumahoro Bangaly, the Siya crew was informed, but a deal did not happen.

Hlompho Kekana's proposed move to Swallows FC did not happen.

Moments after the restart, Haashim Domingo played a lovely ball over the top for Shalulile to take down before Safranko took it off him but put his shot just wide of the post.

Arrows were enjoying over 50 percent of the possession in the second half, which was in stark contrast to the first half. Sbonele Cele then ran with the ball at his feet and squared for Khumalo at the top of the box but the Arrows man dragged his shot wide with Rushine de Reuck flying out to try and block the effort.

Lehlohonolo Seema's side had another opportunity when they too a long throw and Downs defender Grant Kekana didn't get much distance on his header before Simo Mbhele's strike went wide of the post from the edge of the box.

Aubrey Modiba set up Neo Maema and Safranko with crosses from the left-hand side but both failed to show aerial prowess with their chances.

But the icing was sprinkled on the cake for the Brazilians through Maema, who made amends for his miss with a stunner of a strike in the third minute of stoppage time when he cut inside from the left and curled a delicious strike on his right-foot into the top far corner.

Here's how they started:

Sundowns: 30. Pieterse, 13. Lunga, 7. Lakay, 28. De Reuck, 4. G. Kekana, 15. Jali, 18. Zwane, 23. Domingo, 32. Kutumela, 9. Safranko, 38. Shalulile

Subs: 20. Goss, 12. Maluleka, 37. Modiba, 6. B. Onyango, 21. Mkhulise, 10 Sirino, 35. Maema, 11. Erasmus, 24. Vilakazi

Arrows: 36. Mlungwana, 29. Sibisi, 15. Zuke, 35. Mantshiyane, 28. M.Dube, 24. Dlamini, 12. Ndwandwe, 13. Mmodi, 11. Sibiya, 18. Mutizwa, 33. M. Gumede

Subs: 1. Mbaeva, 20. Mathiane, 37. Ndlovu, 19. Magawana, 4. Khumalo, 26. Magubane, 30. Cele, 25. Nkosi, 22. Mbhele