Mamelodi Sundowns beat 10-man Moroka Swallows 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to book a spot in the semi-finals of the MTN8 on Saturday afternoon.
Themba Zwane scored the all-important goal for the DStv Premiership champions in the second half in a game that was physical, with emotions and tackles flying high in Pretoria.
The win is Sundowns’ third in all competitions in the new season as they look to continue to dominate the SA football scene.
The challenge was made significantly easier when Swallows were reduced to 10 men six minutes into the game. Andile Jali, who joined the Dube Birds before the start of the 2023/24 season, chopped down Teboho Mokeona.
Jali was shown a straight red against his former club, Sundowns, for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle, with Swallows coach understandably looking disappointed.
ANDILE JALI GETS A RED CARD
With 10 men on the field of play, Sundowns were expected to dominate the clash. But Swallows held their own. The Soweto side created a few goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, which ended goalless.
The Bafana Bafana midfielder was introduced early in the first stanza, replacing the injured Khuliso Mudau.
After the half-time break, the Brazilians showed their class and quality. It took them only two minutes to open the scoring through star player Themba Zwane.
Sundowns took control of the game, attacking from all angles. But Daniel Akpeyi was on top of his game.
The ex-Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper denied Sundowns several times. Mokoena, Neo Maema and Thapelo Maseko all clear on goal. However, Akpeyi was in a good position to deny the attackers. The Nigerian goalie walked away with the Man of the Match award for his efforts.
The defeat was Swallows’ first of the season as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cape Town City FC in their second game of the season at home.
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