MTN8 Semi-Final Report: Mamelodi Sundowns v SuperSport United 18 September 2019

There was no place in the Sundowns match-day squad for new signing Tokelo Rantie, as José Ali Meza earned a rare start at the top of the Sundowns attack.   Sundowns held the advantage heading into the encounter after netting an away goal in the first leg that ended 1-1 before the international break. However, that away goal was quickly erased by SuperSport after just 11 minutes when Aubrey Modiba's shot deflected into the path of Thamsanqa Gabuza who in-turn teed up Teboho Mokoena for the fine low finish.   After the slow start, Pitso Mosimane's charges eventually regained control in the encounter but the attacking trio of Gaston Sirino, Themba Zwane and Meza struggled to gel as chances were few and far between.   Thapelo Morena was certainly Sundowns' liveliest player going forward, but the pacy winger was often met by a solid Onismor Bhasera, who did well to nullify the supply on the right flank.

Sipho Mbule had the chance to put some daylight between themselves and Sundowns 10 minutes into the second half, but the young midfielder blazed over with only Denis Onyango to beat from just inside the box.   Both sides opted for a change on the hour mark as Kudakwashe Mahachi was introduced for Modiba while Meza's first appearance of the season came to an end after making way for Sibusio Vilakazi.   Sundowns dominated possession for most of the second half, but were often met by some resolute defending as Bongani Khumalo and Clayton Daniels put in some vital blocks in the 18-yard area.   Promise Mkhulise was Mosimane's final throw of the dice with seven minutes remaining in the second half, but the change did not matter as SuperSport sealed the win a minute later through Jamie Webber's neat low finish.

Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 16. Ngcongca, 6. Arendse, 5. Lebusa, 4. Langerman, 40. Coetzee, 8. Kekana, 18. Zwane, 10. Sirino, 27. Morena, 23. Meza.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 13. Mabunda, 7. Lakay, 21. Mkhulise, 11. Vilakazi, 2. Madisha, 33. Maboe.   SuperSport: 30. Williams, 18. Nhlapo, 3. Khumalo, 4. Daniels, 14. Bhasera, 8. Furman, 28. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 16. Modiba, 13. Gabuza, 7. Grobler    Subs: 33. Pule, 25. Fleurs, 12. Webber, 23. Mnyamane, 15. Qalinge, 11. Mahachi, 17. Lungu.