Mamelodi Sundowns marched towards the final of the 2024 Carling Knockout Cup final following a hard-fought 2-0 win against Marumo Gallants at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.
In what was a back and forth affair for much of the 90 minutes, goals in either half by Lucas Ribeiro and Neo Maema separated the two sides in Bloemfontein.
Neo Maema wraps it up in Bloem 👏👏
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 10, 2024
Sundowns will play Magesi in the #CarlingKnockout final on the 23rd of November 📅 pic.twitter.com/vfDXwqguN8
The game started off at a fairly moderate pace with both sides creating scoring chances during the first 10 minutes of the encounter.
While Gallants looked tidy in possession, the Tshwane giants battled for the ball in the middle of the park.
Dan Malesela’s side looked threatening midway through the first half and pressurised the visitors at set-play opportunities, particularly during corners.
The reigning Betway Premiership champions played under the cosh for the majority of the first half as a result of Gallants' superior ball possession.
Sundowns began seeing more of the ball en-route to the 40th minute mark but did little to trouble the Gallants' backline following their attacking advancements.
The pace of the game slowed down dramatically at the end of the first half as the two sides headed into the break with the score level at 0-0.
Masandawana took the lead moments after the restart after the referee spotted a handball infringement inside the area after Peter Shalulile attempted to keep the ball in play with a cross toward the middle of the goal.
In stepping up to the spot, Ribeiro ignored the opposition goalkeeper’s attempts to put him off his game and subsequently slotted the ball home with a sneaky Panenka styled effort.
Lucas Ribeiro with the panenka 🥶
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 10, 2024
Sundowns take the lead with 30 minutes to go..
He can't stop scoring this season 📈
📺 Stream #CarlingKnockout live: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K pic.twitter.com/WTXkiOija9
With the wind in their sails, Sundowns created more opportunities after taking the lead with Gallants finding themselves playing on the backfoot as a result of the traveling side’s forward momentum.
Despite being a goal down, it was Gallants who attempted more shots at goal with around 15 minutes left on the clock.
However, the Bloem side had nothing to show for their efforts for the majority of the second 45.
The game reached a tacky period toward the 90th minute as both teams looked laboured in their attempts to affect the scoresheet.
However, it was Maema who had the last laugh with a powerful left-footed shot inside Gallants 18-yard-area.
The final whistle blows! The Brazilians are through to the final! One more step to glory! 🏆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 10, 2024
Marumo Gallants 0⃣➖2⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (Ribeiro 53’, Maema 90+4’)#Sundowns #CarlingKnockout #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/UBu7DCkL5W
Marumo Gallants: (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns: (0) 2 (Ribeiro 52’, Maema 94’)
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Khumalo (Prins 88’), Nthatheni, Sikhosana, Mabotja, Manaka, Dhludhlu, Sithole (Nange 79’), Mphambaniso (Mhango 68’), Msendami, Shai (Wagaba 79’)
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mvala, Aubaas (Maema 61’), Kekana, Modiba (Mashego 61’), Mokoena, Allende, Mudau, Shalulile (Sales 81’), Rayners (Letlhaku 81’), Costa (Maboe 91’)