Mamelodi Sundowns are through to the Carling Cup final after thrashing AmaZulu 3-0 at a chilly FNB Stadium on Saturday morning in Soweto.
It was all Sundowns in the first half, as they totally dominated the game with AmaZulu on the back foot, defending for their lives from the first minute.
And it only took Sundowns five minutes to open the scoring as Cassius Mailula’s deflected effort beat Bafana Bafana international Veli Mothwa, who could have done better to stop the ball.
Before that, Bongani Zungu and Gift Motupa had opportunities to score, but their effort went wide in the 1st and 2nd minute, respectively, as Sundowns got off the blocks quickly.
The Tshwane giants kept on piling up the pressure, and Motupa had another chance to score in the 16th minute from an Aubrey Modiba cross at the farpost, but the forward struck the ball off balance.
SUNDOWNS IN CONTROL
They controlled possession looking to double the lead.
And shortly after, the young Mailula failed to steer his effort on target after combing with Gaston Sirino and Themba Zwane just before the 30th-minute mark. A minute later, Mailula again was through on goal, but his shot was saved by Mothwa.
That was the last real opportunity of the first 45 as Sundowns went into the break in front.
AmaZulu started the second half like a house on fire and had back-to-back penalty shouts, but the referee thought otherwise. But it was Sundowns who nearly made it 2-0, but Mutupa couldn’t hit the target in the 54th minute.
A few moments later, Gabadinho Mhango was given a golden opportunity to level matters as he was through on goal, but Ronwen Williams pulled off a good save at point-blank range to deny the Malawian international.
The KwaZulu-Natal side did find the back of the net, but it was ruled to be offside by the referee, much to the disappointment of the Usuthu faithful, who had already started celebrating the goal.
Sundowns took control of the game once again with Zwane’s curling effort finding Mothwa.
Coach Rulani Mokwena’s men made it 2-0 after a great move; it was Haashim Domingo who finished off the move with a goal.
The Brazilians were all over Sundowns, and Bradley Ralani found the top corner to seal the deal.
Sundowns will face either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates in the final at 17:00.
The two Soweto giants are set to lock horns in the second semifinal of the Beer Cup at 12:00.
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