Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the Telkom Knockout Cup final after securing a 2-1 victory over Golden Arrows at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

Pitso Mosimane made two changes to the squad after their defeat by Arrows in the Absa Premiership, with captain Hlompho Kekana and Gaston Sirino returning to the starting lineup.

The Brazilians got off to the perfect start and broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Kekana’s glancing header found the net after latching on to a set piece from Lyle Lakay.

Demote Sibanda came to his side’s rescue five minutes later when he made an acrobatic save to keep out Andile Jali’s thunderous effort from inside the box.

Arrows had a chance to level matters on the half-hour mark but Knox Mutizwa missed a glorious opportunity to find the back of the net.

Sundowns then doubled their lead with nine minutes to play after Sirino latched on to a rebound to slot the ball home.

The Brazilians went into the break with a two-goal lead over Arrows.

Mosimane made a double change early in the second half when Tiyani Mabunda and Kennedy Mweene came on to replace Kekana and Denis Onyango.

At the other end, Steve Komphela made a double change of his own when Nduduzo Sibiya and Michael Gumede replaced Seth Parusnath and Lindokuhle Mtshali.

The visitors should have made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute after Tebogo Langerman picked out Mauricio Affonso, but he guided his effort narrowly wide of the upright.

With 10 minutes left to play, Arrows pulled a goal back when Gumede slotted the ball home to find the back of the net.

Sundowns were then reduced to 10 men four minutes from time when Sirino was shown his marching orders for a strong challenge on Matome Mathiane.

However, Sundowns held on to their lead over Arrows until the final whistle to book their place in the TKO final.