Mamelodi Sundowns have booked a spot in Carling Knockout Cup semi-final after thrashing Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 at a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday evening.
Below are some of the talking points from this entertaining quarter-final tie.
SOLD-OUT AFFAIR
The tickets for tonight’s match between Chiefs and Sundowns were officially sold out on Friday.
Despite being outnumbered by the Amakhosi fans, Sundowns faithful abundant roars and rumbles in the stands were priceless as the Chloorkop-based outfit cruised their way to the semis comfortably without any challenges.
SECURITY ISSUES FORCED THE GAME TO BE STOPPED TEMPORARILY
The game had to be temporarily stopped due to a pitch invasion by Chiefs fans as Sundowns scored the first two goals.
The match restarted after more security personnel were brought into the stadium.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS RULED OUT OF TONIGHT’S GAME
Masandawana were without seven key players when they faced the Glamour Boys at the Calabash due to injuries.
The seven players are Kegan Johannes, Lesiba Nku, Themba Zwane, Tashreeq Matthews, Siyabonga Mabena, Rivaldo Coetzee, and Thembinkosi Lorch.
KAIZER CHIEFS AND MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MEET FOR THE 7TH TIME IN THIS COMPETITION
According to Opta Jabu statistics, Chiefs and Sundowns met for a seventh time in this competition [PSL-era Coke/Rothmans/TKO & Carling Cups], making this the joint-most played fixture in the history of the competition [Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates also seven].
INACIO MIGUEL SENT OFF
Things went from bad to worse when Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel received his second yellow card in the 54th minute of the showpiece.
This forced Amakhosi to play most of the second stanza with one man down.
IQRAAM RAYNERS, PETER SHALULILE AND KHULISO MUDAU RUN THE SHOW AT FNB STADIUM
Bafana Bafana international Iqraam Rayners broke the deadlock in the 14th minute of the showdown from a spot kick to put Sundowns in front.
Rayners completed his brace as he added to the scoreline in the 22nd minute of the contest.
Just five minutes before the interval, Peter Shalulile scored the third goal for the Brazilians. This put pressure on the Nasreddine Nabi-coached side.
In the second half, Sundowns never stopped dominating the game. Khuliso Mudau found the back of the net in the 61st minute to make sure they sealed their semi-final spot.
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