Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City after extra-time in an MTN8 quarterfinal encounter played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The hard-fought victory saw Masandawana sneak into the semifinals of the Top 8 competition – joining defending champions Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City in the last four.
Rise and Shine, on the other hand, bowed out of the tournament after failing to take advantage of their superiority over Masandawana and they will start their Betway Premiership campaign next month.
Masandawana started the match brightly and Peter Shalulile was just unlucky not to find the back of the net as the Namibian hitman’s attempts hit the woodwork twice in the 16th minute and 17th minute.
Polokwane grew gradually into the game and goalkeeper Denis Onyango made a double save in the 20th minute before his Rise and Shine counterpart Manuel Sapunga denied Teboho Mokoena in the 24th minute.
The score was 0-0 at halftime.
Onyango gets his marching orders
Sundowns continued to control the match after the restart, but they were left vulnerable at the back which saw the hosts being reduced to 10 players in the 83rd minute when Onyango was sent off for denying Polokwane a clear goalscoring opportunity.
With Masandawana having done all four substitutions already, Mosa Lebusa replaced Onyango between the sticks.
The last real chance in regulation time fell for Themba Zwane who ballooned his effort over the crossbar and extra time followed after a 0-0 draw.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 101st minute when Thabang Matuludi netted an unfortunate own-goal to hand the hosts the lead.
Numerically-disadvantaged Sundowns then held on to the lead and ultimately emerged as 1-0 winners on the day.
Polokwane City will host AmaZulu FC in their Premier Soccer League opener on September 14, while Sundowns will welcome SuperSport United on the same day.
MTN8 Semi-Finals Draw
Meanwhile PSL have confirmed the MTN8 semi-finals draw after the conclusion of the quarter-finals games on Sunday, 11 August 2024.
Sundowns will face Stellenbosch FC, while Cape Town City will take on Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns and City will host the first legs. The official dates and venues will be confirmed in due course.