Mamelodi Sundowns edge Golden Arrows to reach Carling Knockout semi-finals

Mamelodi Sundowns became the first team into the Carling Knockout semi-finals after beating Golden Arrows 1-0 on Tuesday.

Iqraam Rayners scored the only goal of the match in the 68th minute, heading in Antonio van Wyk’s cross to reward Sundowns’ dominance and seal their place in the last four.

Coach Miguel Cardoso made extensive changes with a CAF Super Cup match against Benfica to come this weekend. Goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and Bathusi Aubaas were the only players retained from the starting XI that began Saturday’s emphatic victory over Durban City.

There was an early flashpoint when Aubaas and Maxwele collided in midfield during the opening 10 minutes. Aubaas was booked, much to Cardoso’s frustration, with the Sundowns manager directing his anger towards the fourth official.

Sundowns controlled possession and continued to impose their usual style on the match. They came close to breaking the deadlock after 14 minutes when Siyanda Ndlovu beat a defender before striking the crossbar.

The previous three meetings between the sides this season had produced more open contests, but Sundowns once again showed greater defensive solidity. Mamelodi Sundowns successfully contained Junior Dion, who had scored in both legs of Golden Arrows’ MTN8 semi-final tie.

Despite their control, Sundowns struggled to create clear opportunities in the penalty area until the closing stages of the first half. Rayners then became the provider, finding Van Wyk, whose header went wide with only Golden Arrows goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi to beat.

After a quiet start to the second half, Cardoso made a triple substitution on 65 minutes. Marcelo Allende, Cassius Mailula and Thabang Matuludi replaced Sphelele Mkhulise, Thapelo Morena and Arthur Sales.

Two minutes later, Rayners finally found the breakthrough. The forward met Van Wyk’s delivery with a composed glancing header, completing a lively performance in which he had posed a consistent threat.

Golden Arrows enjoyed more possession as the half progressed but could not make meaningful inroads into Sundowns’ final third. Centre-backs Mothobi Mvala and Malibongwe Khoza repeatedly closed down Dion and prevented the forward from influencing the game.

Sundowns managed the closing stages without difficulty to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Mamelodi Sundowns: 31. Goss, 27. Morena, 42. Khoza, 40. Mvala, 23. Basadien, 15. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 9. Sales, 38. Ndlovu, 39. Van Wyk, 13. Rayners. Substitutes: 1. Onyango, 3. Ndamane, 22. Matuludi, 6. Modiba, 11. Allende, 10. Santos, 18. Zwane, 33. Mailula, 13. Leon.

Golden Arrows: 19. Msibi, 4. Jiyane, 46. Msomi, 26. Agnikoi, 29. Sithole, 3. Shezi, 20. Maluleke, 25. Maxwele, 18. Dion, 49. Gasa, 41. Zwane. Substitutes: 27. Mbanjwa, 38. Mabaso, 23. Barry, 40. Nguse, 36. Khumalo, 28. Van Neel, 22. Karelse, 30. Cele, 11. Moli.