Sundowns book a date with Arrows in the Diski Shield final

Mamelodi Sundowns became the first team to reach the final of MultiChoice Diski Shied in their second consecutive attempt following a 1-0 over SuperSport United in the semifinals at KaNyamzane Stadium on Wednesday.

Sundowns will square off for the championship spot against Golden Arrows who easily dispatched Orlando Pirates 2-0 later in the day.

The two teams will meet on May 12 at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, while SuperSport and Pirates will open the proceedings of the day in the third/fourth place playoffs.

Sundowns, who are the only team with a 100 percent record in the group stage, will be hoping to be second-time lucky in the Diski Shield final following the heartbreaking 3-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs last season.

Going into this encounter, the Brazilians wore the favourites' cap after a sweep in the group stage – defeating Black Leopards, Baroka FC and Polokwane City.

In Nelspruit, they got the perfect start as Khomotjo Rachoane put his side in the driving seat as early as the fifth minute.

Rachoane intercepted a defence-splitting pass from the engine room, before testing no man's land goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa who failed to comfortable control the ball before it sailed into an empty net.

After being teed by Rachoane, Thabang Sibanyoni should have doubled his team's tally but he failed to bury the shot in Mbanjwa's bottom corner.

The second half started off slowly as neither side could find the breakthrough.

In the 70th minute, Vuyo Mantjie should have got his team's second but he was denied by Mbanjwa from close range.

It was turning out to be worst day for Mantjie in the office as his stoppage-time strike was successfully denied by Mbanjwa.

SuperSport had their chances through Kamohelo Mahlatsi but he failed to work his magic inside the box. But, it was Sipho Mbule who nearly found the equaliser for his team but for his close-range effort to came off the woodwork.

On the other hand, fellow finalists Arrows left it late in the day against Pirates, despite controlling the majority share of the possession.

Substitute Nkosiyazi Mphumulo entered the field of play and gave his side the sharpness that they needed in front of goal.

With 15 minutes to stoppage time, he won his team a penalty after being brought down by Sabelo Nkomo in the box.

Siboniso Conco grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he sent Alexi Appollonantos the wrong way.

Maphumulo was back at the thick of things, setting-up Siphamandla Sabelo who unleashed a humdinger into the roof of Appolonatos' net for Arrows' winner.