Sundowns trail Golden Arrows at half-time in MTN8 semi-final

Mamelodi Sundowns are 1-0 down to Golden Arrows at half-time in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final at Atteridgeville on Sunday afternoon.

The African champions controlled much of the opening period but were punished 10 minutes before the interval when Sede Dion finished past Ricardo Goss after breaking through the Sundowns defence.

Golden Arrows had started the match looking to preserve their unbeaten record in the competition and claim another major scalp. Abafana Besthende had already eliminated Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals and were seeking a positive result to take into the second leg.

Sundowns, meanwhile, were hoping to build on their midweek victory over Marumo Gallants and establish an advantage of their own before the return fixture.

The home side dominated possession during the early stages and came close to opening the scoring after 12 minutes. Cassius Mailula, who has been in impressive form, laid the ball off for Lebogang Mothiba, whose close-range toe-poke was blocked by a brave save from Edward Maova.

Maova paid a heavy price for the intervention. The Golden Arrows goalkeeper came off second-best in the challenge and was unable to continue, leaving the field on a stretcher. He was replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa.

Despite Sundowns’ control, it was Golden Arrows who found the breakthrough. Khulekani Shezi delivered a defence-splitting pass from the right, sending Dion beyond Sundowns’ high defensive line. Dion met the ball first time and guided his finish beyond Goss to give Arrows the lead.

Sundowns pressed for an equaliser before the break and nearly restored parity in the second minute of stoppage time. Bennet Mokoena collected the ball after a sustained spell of possession and struck a powerful curling effort from outside the penalty area.

Mbanjwa reacted sharply, moving across his goal to parry the shot behind for a corner and preserve Golden Arrows’ advantage at half-time.

An action gallery from the first leg in Atteridgeville is also available.

Confirmed line-ups

Mamelodi Sundowns: Goss, Johannes, Khoza, Mdunyelwa, Aubaas, Allende, Modiba, B. Mokoena, Ndlovu, Mailula, Mothiba

Substitutes: Onyango, Mvala, Basadien, Morena, Mkhulise, Zwane, Matthews, Santos, Leon

Golden Arrows: Maova, Shezi, Agnikoi, Mabaso, Maluleke, Gasa, Zwane, Dlamini, Maxwele, Sithole, Dion

Substitutes: Mbanjwa, Mbatha, Mantshiyane, Madonsela, Karelse, Khumalo, Van Rooi, Ousmane, Khumalo