Sundowns Book Kaizer Chiefs Clash in Nedbank Cup Semifinals After 1-0 Win
Bradley Chagoya 
Mamelodi Sundowns are through to the Nedbank Cup semifinals after a narrow 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the quarterfinals at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday night. The win sets up a tantalizing semifinal showdown with Kaizer Chiefs, one of the most anticipated fixtures in South African football.
This match was originally scheduled for March 8th at the same venue but had to be postponed due to a scheduling conflict. The Lucas Moripe Stadium, which had been double-booked on the day, was also set to host Bantwana's FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. Despite the PSL having exclusive rights to the stadium for the date, the clash forced the match to be rescheduled.
When the game finally kicked off, Sundowns were clearly determined to make their mark. The Brazilians controlled the tempo early on, showcasing their trademark ball possession game. Their quick, fluid passing and high press kept Sekhukhune United pinned deep in their own half for the majority of the opening period. However, despite the dominance, Sundowns struggled to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes.
The first half saw Sundowns create several promising opportunities, with Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane going close on a couple of occasions, but Sekhukhune's defense held firm. The defensive resilience of Babina Noko, led by veteran defenders like Thabo Rakhale and the impressive goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata, kept the scoreline at 0-0 going into the break.
In the second half, Sundowns' relentless pressure finally paid off. The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when captain Hlompho Kekana, ever the influential figure in the middle of the park, delivered a pinpoint pass to substitute Gaston Sirino. The Uruguayan winger expertly controlled the ball before calmly slotting it past Nsabata to give Sundowns the lead.
Sekhukhune fought back, trying to break down Sundowns' defense, but the visitors' backline, marshaled by the experienced Ricardo Nascimento and Mosa Lebusa, stood resolute. Sundowns continued to dominate possession and manage the game with a clinical approach, making it difficult for Sekhukhune to carve out any clear-cut chances.
The match ended 1-0 in favor of the Brazilians, a result that ensures they remain on course for another major domestic trophy. While it was not the most dominant performance by Sundowns, they showed their resilience and ability to grind out results, a hallmark of their success in recent seasons.
Looking ahead, the eagerly awaited semifinal against Kaizer Chiefs promises to be a cracker. Chiefs, who have been in good form under coach Arthur Zwane, will present a much sterner test for Sundowns, but given the quality of the Masandawana squad, they will enter the game as favorites.
As Sundowns now turn their attention to the semifinal, they will be hoping to replicate the strong performance in the league and continental competitions, continuing their pursuit of more silverware under coach Rhulani Mokwena. The stage is set for what could be another memorable chapter in the Nedbank Cup, with two of South Africa’s biggest clubs set to battle it out for a place in the final.
With the stakes high, football fans across the country will no doubt be looking forward to this heavyweight encounter. The countdown to Sundowns' semifinal clash with Kaizer Chiefs has officially begun.
