By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows in the MTN8 semifinal second leg at King Zwelithini stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The victory sent Sundowns through on the away-goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw, and they will face Orlando Pirates in the final.
Masandawana controlled the tempo and pinned Abafana Bes’thende back, but the hosts stood firm and frustrated the Tshwane giants with a disciplined defensive shape.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with a beautiful team goal. Cassius Mailula scored his fourth of the season after Marcelo Allende set him up with a quick one-pass move inside the Arrows box, sending Sundowns into halftime 1-0 up.
Abafana Bes’thende came out fighting after the restart and levelled through in-form Sede Junior Dion to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.
Allende quickly restored Sundowns’ advantage, firing home to put the visitors back in front at 2-1 and level the tie on aggregate.
Antonio Van Wyk came off the bench to extend Bafana Ba Style’s lead with his long-range effort dipping under the diving Thakasani Mbanjwa and putting the visitors firmly in control of the tie.
However, the hosts refused to surrender, with Philani Kumalo pulling one back for Arrows to set up a nervy finish. It was not enough, though, as Sundowns held on for a 3-2 victory.