Van Wyk and Mailula make immediate impact as Sundowns reach MTN8 semi-finals

Antonio van Wyk and Cassius Mailula made decisive contributions as Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Polokwane City to book their place in the MTN8 semi-finals.

Van Wyk was handed his first start by head coach Miguel Cardoso after impressing during pre-season, and the former Stellenbosch player responded with a goal and an assist. He created the opportunity for Teboho Mokoena to level the contest before finding the net himself before half-time.

Mailula then completed a memorable return to the Sundowns first team by scoring the winning goal in extra-time. The striker entered the match as a second-half substitute and took advantage of the opportunity, particularly with Brayan Leon unavailable because of suspension.

His display has given Cardoso another option in attack and strengthened Mailula’s case for a regular starting place as Sundowns continue their cup campaign.

The result also highlighted the value of Sundowns’ new arrivals and returning players, with the club able to rely on their squad despite being without several important members of the team. Van Wyk was introduced immediately from the start, while Mailula made what was described as his “second debut” after coming on during the match.

Cardoso said he had expected to make changes early because of the physical demands facing his squad. A number of players had only recently returned from international duty, while others who had joined the club were still adapting. Sundowns also had injured players unavailable.

“I knew that I would have to make substitutions even quite early, obviously we didn’t want to go to extra-time because we know that it’s not the moment to play extra 30 minutes when we are so early in the season.

“And even some of the players, well late from internationals, the players that arrived new so we had several issues and players that are not even here because they are still injured. But when you go an extra 30 minutes it’s a matter of energy, resilience and keeping some emotional stability which in the last parts of the second half we lost,” Cardoso said.

The Sundowns manager acknowledged that his side had lost some composure towards the end of normal time, but said the message during the additional period was to remain focused and emotionally controlled.

“That was the message, keep stable mentally so that we play the game we need to play otherwise we can and I think in extra-time we did it well,” he added.

With the match extending beyond 90 minutes at a demanding stage of the season, Cardoso was pleased with the response from his players. The performances of Van Wyk and Mailula provided further encouragement as Sundowns prepare for the next stage of the MTN8, while also demonstrating the depth available to the coach despite suspensions, injuries and players returning late from international commitments.