Sundowns’ comeback sends them into MTN8 final against Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns recovered from a first-leg defeat to beat Golden Arrows 3-2 in Durban and reach the MTN8 Wafa Wafa final on the away-goals rule.

The Brazilians had been beaten 1-0 in the opening leg in Atteridgeville, leaving them with a difficult task in the return fixture at King Zwelithini Stadium. However, they produced a dramatic response to overturn the deficit and secure a place in the final despite the tie finishing 3-3 on aggregate.

Their reward is a meeting with Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on 10 October, with the two South African giants set to contest the first major piece of silverware at stake in the competition.

The result sparked an emotional reaction from Mamelodi Sundowns super-fan Milly Vanilla Modipane, who could not hide her excitement as Masandawana completed their comeback against Abafana Bes’thende.

For Modipane, the decisive turning point arrived in the 31st minute, when Cassius Mailula found a way through the Golden Arrows defence and ended a remarkable run of almost 1,000 minutes without conceding for the Durban side.

Mailula began the move with a neat exchange with Marcelo Allende. After the one-touch combination opened space, he kept his composure and calmly guided the ball into the net to give Sundowns fresh momentum in the semi-final.

That goal helped shift the balance of a tense contest. Having entered the second leg needing to overturn a one-goal deficit, Sundowns eventually secured the 3-2 victory required to draw level on aggregate. The away-goals rule then sent them through to the showpiece match.

Golden Arrows had been unbeaten defensively for close to 1,000 minutes before Mailula’s finish, making the breakthrough especially significant in the context of the tie. Sundowns’ response in Durban ensured their earlier setback in Atteridgeville did not prevent them from reaching the final.

The outcome now sets up a high-profile MTN8 meeting between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. With the trophy at stake, Sundowns’ yellow-and-blue supporters will hope Mailula can maintain the form that fired their side beyond Golden Arrows.

For Masandawana, the comeback represents a chance to turn a difficult semi-final into a final appearance. For Pirates, it provides an opportunity to challenge Sundowns for the MTN8 title when the teams meet on 10 October.