Gaston Sirino had an eventful afternoon as he scored what proved to be the winner and was later sent off as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Golden Arrows to advance to the Telkom Knockout final.
The Brazilians made two changes from their loss to Arrows before the FIFA break, with Gaston Sirino returning from injury while Hlompho Kekana was recalled back to the starting line-up.
Sundowns were fighting to draw first blood in the early exchanges and they got their wish in the 11th minute after Kekana glanced home a header after getting on the end Lyle Lakay’s set-piece.
Steve Komphela’s army was finding their rhythm around the half-hour mark with Knox Mutizwa guilty of missing a clear chance, but they were punished with nine minutes remaining of the first stanza as Sirino pounced on a goal-mouth scramble at the far post to give Masandawana a two-goal lead.
The pace of the game slowed down in the closing minutes of the first stanza, but the Brazilians should have went to the break with a three-goal lead after Lakay went clear on goal inside the box but he scuffed his effort wide.
After a slow start to the second half, Komphela made a double change after the hour-mark, with Nduzuzo Sibiya coming on for Seth Parusnath and Michael Gumede for Lindokuhle Mtshali to add numbers in attack.
Gumede had a great chance to pull a goal back for the hosts with 14 minutes remaining after going through inside the box but goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene produced a crucial save.
Sibiya was not to be denied five minutes later after he slotted home on the far side from Mutizwa’s cross to make a nervy finish to the game, although replays did suggest Mutizwa was offside in the build-up.
There was further trouble for Sundowns in the last six minutes as they were reduced to ten men after Sirino was red-carded for a studs-up challenge on Mathiane.
Arrows came close to snatching a dramatic equaliser through Danny Phiri’s strike but the visitors survived to book a spot in the final, where they will meet the winner of between Maritzburg United and Kaizer Chiefs.
You might also like – Real Madrid 3 – 1 Real Sociedad
Substitute Gareth Bale received a mixed reception at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid fought back to defeat Real Sociedad and stay joint-top of La Liga with Barcelona.
Bale was pictured with a flag that read ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ while on international duty and was initially jeered by home supporters.
Real’s Karim Benzema cancelled out Willian Jose’s second-minute opener. read more
Source – SoccerLaduma
