Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns have advanced into the semifinals of the MTN8 after they defeated 10-man Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns held a numerical advantage from early on, but struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. However, Themba Zwane set the ball rolling with a fine strike early in the second and the team in yellow and blue were ultimately able to secure progression with relative comfort.
They will now wait to see which other three teams join them in the final four, with Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United meeting later on Saturday, while Sunday features Cape Town City v Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United v Stellenbosch FC.
Swallows were dealt a major blow just a few minutes into the match when former Sundowns star Andile Jali was deservedly shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Teboho Mokoena (who took a nasty blow to the inside of his right ankle, but was able to play on after some treatment).
The hosts also lost Khuliso Mudau to what looked like a hamstring injury, with debutant Bathusi Aubaas rising off the bench to replace him in the 18th minute.
The substitute was not far away from opening the scoring 10 minutes later with a long-range effort that flashed just wide of Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi’s right-hand post.
The interval arrived with the score 0-0 – clearly a frustration for the Brazilians, and a moral victory for the 10-man visitors.
Yet it took less than three minutes of the second half for a re-energised Sundowns to break the deadlock, with Lucas Ribeiro Costa playing an intelligent pass into space on the edge of the box which allowed the on-running Themba Zwane to sweep home a right-footed shot for 1-0.
In the next 10 minutes Akpeyi made sharp saves to keep out efforts from Aubaas and Zwane, as the Brazilians looked to build on their lead.
The hosts somewhat ran out of steam in an attacking sense and Swallows’ hopes of a comeback were boosted by the introduction of attacking players such as Frank Mhango and Mbulelo Wambi in the dying minutes, but there was no late drama to send the game to an extra half hour.
The teams will next be in DStv Premiership action, with Sundowns hosting Golden Arrows on Tuesday, 15 August, while Swallows will be away to Sekukhune United the following day.