Mamelodi Sundowns stormed into the MTN8 final and set up a date with Orlando Pirates following a 3-2 semi-final, second-leg victory over Golden Arrows FC at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilians advanced on the away goals rule after entering the second leg trailing 1-0. Despite the early setback, they fought back to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory in Umlazi, progressing to the final courtesy of their three crucial road goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
A potentially stormy final is now anticipated as Sundowns will be in the hunt for a fifth MTN8 title and reclaim a trophy they last won in 2021. They will be up against the Buccaneers who are gunning for a fifth straight MTN8 crown.
Should Pirates defend this trophy, they will go level with Kaizer Chiefs to share 14 titles each.
FARPost takes a look at the major talking points of Sunday’s match as Sundowns staged a comeback to win the second leg.
GOLDEN ARROWS FINALLY CONCEDE
Abafana Bes’tehnde went into Sunday’s match enjoying an impressive record of six clean sheets in all competitions this season. However, Cassius Mailula became the first player to breach Arrows’ defence before Marcelo Allende and Antonio van Wyk also scored for Sundowns.
Even after conceding, Arrows were still hard to penetrate, and within the first 10 minutes, Eroine Agnikoi made two crucial blocks. It is not surprising that left-back Osborn Maluleke has been named Man of the Match twice this season.
A PIECE OF HISTORY FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS AS MAILULA CONTINUES WITH TOP FORM
Masandawana became the first team to overturn a first-leg deficit since the two-legged MTN8 semi-finals were introduced. Meanwhile, since his return to the Brazilians, Mailula has rediscovered his scoring form. That atones for his difficult spell at Toronto FC and KV Kortrijk.
The 25-year-old has now scored four goals in seven matches across all competitions this season, making himself Madsandawana’s top scorer so far.
KHULUMANI NDAMANE & SUNDOWNS ROBBED
The Tshwane giants watched in agony as defender Khulumani Ndamane’s goal was disallowed five minutes into the second half. The central defender was making his first appearance of the season.
He connected a Fawaaz Basadien cross with his chest, but the linesman flagged that he had scored with his hand. Had the goal stood, Sundowns would have gone 2-0 ahead in the match.
GRANT KEKANA ESCAPES RED
As Sundowns were still trying to digest Ndamane’s disallowed goal, Grant Kekana was shown a straight red card by referee Luxolo Badi for a rough challenge in the 67th minute. But the referee reversed his decision and downgraded the red card to a caution.
JUNIOR DION STRIKES AGAINST SUNDOWNS AGAIN
Junior Dion was Arrows’ captain of the day, and he led from the front in the fight to reach the MTN8 final. The Ivorian-Chadian scored with 20 minutes remaining to level matters to 1-1 on the day and hand the hosts a 2-1 aggregate lead.
It was the third time in the last three games for Dion to score against Sundowns.
ALLENDE AND VAN WYK SEAL IT FOR ARROWS
Dion’s celebrations were cut short when Allende restored Sundowns’ lead with 12 minutes to go. Substitute Van Wyk then threw the match into a difficult contest for Arrows with a shot into the bottom corner five minutes before time.
MATCH PERMUTATIONS CONFUSE ARROWS PLAYERS
Philani Khumalo’s stoppage-time strike for Abafana Bes’thende was not enough to bring them back into the match. After Khumalo’s goal, the scoreline was 3-3 on aggregate, with Sundowns enjoying the lead on away goals.
But Arrows players celebrated Khumalo’s goal, thinking they had taken the lead. Coach Pitso Dladla had to rally his players to cut short their celebrations and rush back to resume the game as they went out on the away goals rule.
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