Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows were both eyeing a spot in the Telkom Knockout final when they played each other at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Pitso Mosimane was hoping his charges regain their form after a welcomed international break, with influential midfielder Gaston Sirino coming back from injury.
Sundowns also welcomed back Hlompho Kekana. These were the key changes from the side that lost to Arrows in the league two weeks ago.
The Brazilians qualified for the semi finals of the competition after beating Chippa United on penalties following a 2-2 draw in extra time in the quarter-finals.
Sundowns have won the Telkom Knockout only once in it’s current form back in 2015, after beating Komphela’s Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 in the final.
Masandawana had a great opportunity in the first five minutes after a poor pass at the back landed with Kekana who charged at Edmore Sibanda before letting rip with a tame strike.
The skipper made up for the miss when he leaped to meet a Lyle Lakay in-swinging free-kick to hand Masandawana the opening goal at the ten minute mark.
Sundowns kept up the momentum with Jali lining up a blistering shot straight down the throat of Sibanda, who managed a spectacular save from the top corner.
Abafana Besthende took charge after the half-hour mark, but their efforts were thwarted when Sirino latched onto a rebound in the area to slide into the bottom corner ten minutes to halftime.
A number of changes were made as the second half got underway. Kennedy Mweene and Tiyani Mabunda came in for Denis Onyango and Kekana for Sundowns whilst Zolani Nkombela made way for Divine Lunga for the home side.
Abafana Besthende managed to get one in when Michael Gumede managed a low cross from the left in, beating Mweene, with ten minutes do go.
Sundowns were reduced to ten men four minutes later as a challenge from Sirino on Matome Mathiane proved too dangerous for Victor Gomes, who dismissed the attacker with a red card.
The game was then called to a close with The Brazilians marching to victory despite the shaky end with a chance to claim the Telkom Knockout cup after four years.
This is how the teams lined up:
Arrows: Sibanda, S.Dube, Sibisi, Mathiane, Nkombelo, Phiri, Parusnath, Shitolo, Makhubela, Mtshali, Mutizwa.
Subs: N.Gumede, Bilankulu, L.Dube, Lunga, Venter, M.Gumede, Sibiya.
Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Lakay, Madisha, Jali, Kekana, Lebusa, Morena, Mkhulise, Sirino, Affonso.
Sub: Mweene, Meza, Coetzee, Ngcongca, Maboe, Mabunda, Ngoma.
Congratulations to Sundowns for yet another victory to usher them to the Final. There was hunger on the guys and it paid off. However there is still need to be more clinical before the goals . The mind-set was right, the attitude was correct, the determination was absolute . Thank God we won that match. There were two incidents of penalties that the referee did not see otherwise the margin would have been bigger. After that score from Golden arrows our defense was shacky . The couch ‘s comments were very calm and respectful to everyone. I realised journalists are the ones who provoke Pitso. They dig things and he falls in. But he was smart to talk of the less obvious things. Nice predictions to the Faithful supporters.KBY.
haaii fact is Sundowns is not playing well this season not at all. It is surprising because we had enough rest
Beat by beat,step by step we r rising higher &higher. But there’s one stupid competitor who always a bad spoiler to our games that crap called Victor Gomes with emotional yellow cards&red cards.Now I’m challenging that Bucks character who gave us the names of the teams who will be playing at Mabhida stadium.Reduce and mock us at your own peril,but hey soccer can kill you with your less informed thinking.
Ha!ha!ha! you are right Member I remember his comments very well.
From Kenya to Tanzania and Uganda… 5>celebritie> who sparked unceasing brouhaha
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Iam happy with the win but Iam not happy with With Victor Gomez. He dinied us 2 clear penalties and Phiri was supposed to have got a second yellow card. Coaches get punished for their comments but the officials get away with a mere suspension. On the game I like the hunger and the aggression we demonstrated. January we need to find someone to replace Kekane. We can’t rely on sugar
Whats wrong with Kekana ?
Are you for real dude? Are you trying to be smart with me? Did nt you see that after kekana was replaced by Mabunda we struggled to control the game?
So you replace Kekana?
victor gomez almost cost the game! Phiri was supposed to get a second yellow card yet he just gave him a verbal warning! The second hand ball was a clear penalty. we could have led 3 – 0 in the first half. Even the goal that was scored by arrows was suspiciously offside. mutiwa was offside when he received that flicked ball but what we dont know is that who had the last touch between a sundowns player and an arrows players
Gomes always goes in the game with a mindset against Sundowns. Nothing Surprises me with this guy. He has his own mandate this guy. He got the Sirino red card right I have to say. Besides this game, Gomes always has his own mandate against Sundowns. Good game by Jali. Lebusa too. Morena. The team played well. Affonso is good but very casual.
Well done to the boys, I also agree we are not playing well at all but what matters is the final. Thanks coach, the boys and everyone for a job well done. Let’s keep the gap at 7 points now. I seriously don’t want us to pick early.
Gomes is a useless ref,clear penalty was not given,se 2nd yellow card to Phiri was not given and an offside goal was given.I think there’s an agenda to ensure that Downs don’t win a cup this season coz no team can stop us from wining.On the game,I think Kekana’s rest worked wonders,he came back more hungry and determined.Mr coach plz don’t over work him,he still need his never die attitude.Themba member u r right we need another central midfielder,Mabunda is struggling,we really need some1 to help Jali.We also need another keeper urgently coz Onyango’s substitute are both useless.Lastly I urge members to watch MDC team they play like Barca and Man City,they maverlous to watch.I think management should stop waisting money by buying dead woods from other teams when we hv cream o mzanzi’s soccer.
You will be surprised how Tiyani and Jali can compliment each other if given time to play together. Tiyani seats back and Jali advances as an attacking link.Rivaldo can also play with Jali, Seabe can also play that role. All these can play. The Captain must be used to play 45 minutes, reducing his playing minutes deliberately , not because of injuries or whatsoever, he has a lot to offer, he will always comeback strong because his attitude is always right. The players we have enough , its a matter of each player to raise his hand and deliver according to instruction and expectations. That is just my opinion. Kby