Sundowns overcome SuperSport at first hurdle in MTN8

Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their MTN8 title defence with a convincing 2-0 victory over SuperSport United at Tuks Stadium in the quarterfinals on Sunday evening.

Second-half substitutes Marcelo Allende and Abubeker Nasir made the difference for Manqoba Mngqithi's side with a goal each to book their place in the semifinals.

The draw for the last-four will take place on Monday, with either AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs awaiting the Brazilians in the next round.

Sundowns came into the cup-tie on the back of a three-match unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership, where they had beaten Stellenbosch 3-0 most recently, while Matsatsantsa were looking to build on their first win of the season, having edged Richards Bay 1-0 in midweek.

Masandawana looked to take early control of the Tshwane derby and threatened after just three minutes when Themba Zwane forced George Chigova into a fine save with a shot from inside the box.

They continued to create chances in the opening stages as Neo Maema dragged an effort wide of the near post from inside the area on the left following a counter in the 10th minute before Teboho Mokoena tested Chigova from range moments later.

Themba Zwane then went close with a strike that flew just wide of the left post on 18 minutes after linking up with Peter Shalulile on the edge of the box and Khuliso Mudau was inches away from opening the scoring midway through the first half as his first-time shot flashed past the left upright.

Gavin Hunt's troops finally had their first real sniff at goal in the 33rd minute when Thulani Hlatshwayo got on the end of Iqraam Rayners's cross to draw a sharp save out of Ronwen Williams with a header and they finished the half strongly as Gamphani Lungu's low cross picked out Rayners, who was denied by his former teammate at close range on 40 minutes.

Downs were quickly out of the blocks again in the second half and Shalulile cleared the crossbar with a first-time shot from outside the box on 48 minutes after latching onto Mudau's neat pass.

Williams had to be alert at the other end to keep out Rayners's effort from inside the area on the right in the 70th minute after the Brazilians lost possession, while Allende nearly scored with his first touch of the game on 75 minutes after being introduced off the bench, but his snapshot was deflected wide of the target.

Hunt made two changes in the closing stages in an attempt to find a winner, but instead the opener arrived at the other end on 80 minutes when Allende converted Shalulile's pass at close range to give Sundowns the lead.

Fellow substitute Nasir sealed the win in the final minute as he beat Chigova from close range after latching onto Mokoena's inch-perfect pass.

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 2 (Allende 80', Nasir 90'))

SuperSport United (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: R. Williams, K. Mudau (A. Nasir 68'), R. De Reuck, B. Onyango, L. Lakay, T. Mokoena, A. Jali, N. Maema (M. Allende 63'), T. Zwane (M. Mvala 87'), T. Morena, P. Shalulile (S. Mbule 86').

SuperSport United: G. Chigova, T. Hlatshwayo, L. Fleurs, T. Ditlhokwe, O. Bhasera (N. Rapoo 79'), G. Lungu, T. Mbatha (Y. Mfolozi 61'), J. Donn, S. Maziko (T. Gabuza 84'), I. Rayners (A. Ngoma 79'), B. Grobler.