SuperSport United advanced to their third-successive MTN8 final after claiming a 3-1 aggregate win over Tshwane rivals Mamelodi Sundowns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening, reports DYLAN APPOLIS.

Sundowns headed into this encounter high in confidence after securing a comfortable 5-0 victory over Seychelles side Côte d’Or in the Caf Champions League over the weekend.

Meanwhile, SuperSport played out to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cape Town City in their previous league encounter on Saturday.

The visitors got off to the perfect start and took the lead after 11 minutes when Thamsanqa Gabuza set Teboho Mokoena up, who fired the ball into the far corner.

Mokoena had a chance to double SuperSport’s lead eight minutes later but failed to connect with Gabuza’s cross into the area.

SuperSport captain Clayton Daniels came close to doubling his side’s lead in the 25th minute but placed his half volley wide of the target.

Ronwen Williams came to his side’s rescue a minute later when he got down well to keep out Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana’s trademark effort from distance.

Tebogo Langerman had a chance to level matters in the 31st minute after making a strong run down the wing before trying his luck from range, but blazed attempt over the bar.

Kekana continued to cause United problems and had a chance to equalise in the 40th minute but saw his effort from range sail over the bar.

Gabuza could have put his side further ahead in stoppage time but directed his header wide of goal.

Matsatsantsa managed to hold on to their 2-1 aggregate lead over Sundowns as the game went into half time.

Sundowns had an early attempt at goal in the second half but Gaston Sirino was unable to direct his shot on target.

Siyabonga Nhlapo should have doubled United’s lead in the 49th minute after he did well to turn his mark to get a shot away, but the midfielder saw his shot sail over the crossbar.

Sipho Mbule had a golden opportunity to make it 3-1 on aggregate but the SuperSport midfielder missed a sitter from close range.

Kaitano Tembo made his first change of the game in the 56th minute when he introduced Kudakwashe Mahachi for Aubrey Modiba.

At the other end, Pitso Mosimane made a change of his own four minutes later when Sibusiso Vilakazi came on for Jose Ali Mesa.

Sundowns continued to press forward in search of an equalising goal and should have found the net in the 61th minute, but Kekana could not steer his effort on target as it sailed over the bar.

Denis Onyango came to Sundowns’ rescue five minutes later when he made a superb save to deny Bradley Grobler’s shot from point-blank range.

SuperSport made their second change of the game after 68 minutes when Jamie Webber came on to replace Mbule.

Tembo made his final change in the 72nd minute when Grobler was taken off in place of Lungu Ghampani, while Sundowns took off Anele Ngcongca to introduce Lebohang Maboe.

Mahachi should have put his side further ahead two minutes later, but the attacker sent his volley well over the target after he was picked out by Lungu.

Sundowns made their final change of the evening in the 83rd minute after Themba Zwane was substituted for Sphelele Mkhulise.

The visitors then doubled their lead two minutes later through Webber, who fired his effort into the far corner to make it 3-1 on aggregate.

SuperSport held on to their lead over Sundowns until the final whistle to set up an MTN8 finals clash against Highlands Park.