Sundowns edge Arrows in tense MTN8 semifinal
Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the MTN8 final after edging Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-2 in a tense semifinal second leg at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Sunday afternoon.
The result left the tie level at 3-3 on aggregate, with Sundowns progressing on the away-goals rule. They will now face Orlando Pirates in the final.
Sundowns enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages, while Arrows remained compact and looked to threaten on the counter. Teboho Mokoena was booked in the 17th minute after stopping Nhlanhla Zwane’s transition.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Marcelo Allende combined with Cassius Mailula inside the Arrows penalty area before Mailula finished the move to give Sundowns the lead heading into halftime.
Arrows came out with greater attacking intent after the restart and were rewarded in the 68th minute. Ronaldo van Neel delivered a cross into the area, with Sede Junior Dion firing home to level the scores. The goal was Dion’s third in as many matches.
Sundowns responded nine minutes later to restore their advantage. Substitute Antonio van Wyk’s cross was blocked, but Allende reacted quickest to finish and put the visitors back in front.
Van Wyk then made his own mark on the contest in the 85th minute, scoring to extend Sundowns’ lead to 3-1 and put them within touching distance of the final.
Arrows continued to push until the closing stages and pulled one back in stoppage time through Philani Khumalo. The late goal ensured a tense finish, but Sundowns held on to secure their place in the final.
Arrows will now turn their attention to the Betway Premiership, where they host Sundowns on 6 September. The Brazilians, meanwhile, face Milford FC in the league on 2 September.
