Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the semi-finals of the MTN8 after they defeated Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The game got off to a rocky start as Andile Jali was shown his marching orders for a dangerous challenge on Teboho Mokoena.

Sundowns were then forced into making an early substitution in the 17th minute when Khuliso Mudau was unable to continue and was

subsequently replaced by Bathusi Aubaas.

Thapelo Maseko had a chance to hand Sundowns the lead in the 26th minute but could not get enough power behind his shot after receiving a ball over the top from Aubrey Modiba.

Sundowns had another opportunity to break the deadlock three minutes later but Aubaas’ effort sailed wide of the target.

Maseko should have made it 1-0 in the 34th minute when he latched on to a long ball by Mvala before beating the keeper but was unable to pick out Costa inside the box.

Daniel Akpeyi came to his side’s rescue in the 42nd minute when he made a great save to deny Maema as the game went into the break locked at goalless.

Sundowns came out guns blazing in the second half and broke the deadlock two minutes in when Themba Zwane found the back of the net with a powerful finish inside the box.

The Brazilians had a chance to double their lead in the 53rd minute when Aubaas controlled the ball before firing his powerful effort at goal but saw his effort saved by the Swallows keeper.

Akpeyi was forced into making another save four minutes later when he kept out Zwane’s effort to deny the Sundowns captain his second goal of the game.

Maema should have doubled Sundowns’ lead in the 67th minute but his low driven strike was kept out by the Swallows keeper.

Rulani Mokwena made his second substitution of the game when he brought on Lesiba Nku in place of Maseko after 70 minutes of play.

Nku nearly made an instant impact when he played a cross into the back post to pick out Costa but the Brazilian was unable to guide his header past the Swallows keeper.

Swallows made substitutions of their own in the 77th minute when Gregory Damons and Mthokozisi Shwabule came on to replace Lindokuhle Mtshali and Ntsako Makhubela before taking off Bongani Sam and Tshegofatso Mabasa to bring on Gabadinho Mhango and Mbulelo Wambi in the 82nd minute.

Sundowns had a chance to put the game to bed in the 86th minute when Mokoena unleashed a strike from distance but Akpeyi did well to deny the attacker.

Mokwena made his final substitution with two minutes left to play as Siyabonga Mabena, Bongani Zungu, and Peter Shalulile came n to replace Costa, Maema and Modiba.

The Brazilians held on until the final whistle to walk away with a narrow win and secure their progression to the competition’s semi-finals.

Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix