Sundowns Bounce Back To Eliminate Struggling Gallants
Mamelodi Sundowns got back to winning ways after defeating Marumo Gallants 1-0 to book their spot in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.
Carling KnockoutTeams: Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo GallantsResult: 1-0Scorers: Ndlovu (20′)
Brazilians’ coach Miguel Cardoso rang the changes following their surprise CAF Champions League exit, as goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, Mothobi Mvala, Fawaaz Basadien, Antonio van Wyk, Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners returned to the starting line-up.
Rayners looked to make the most of his opportunity early on by providing a real threat in the final third with his pace, while he also put in a lively cross inside the opening 10 minutes**,** although none of his teammates were able to convert.
The former Stellenbosch star continued to torment the Gallants defence as he set up the opening goal for Sundowns in the 20th minute by picking out Siyanda Ndlovu, who found the back of the net with his third goal in all competitions this season.
It was one-way traffic for the rest of the first half, as Cardoso’s charges enjoyed a whopping 70 percent of the possession against Gallants, who have not been at the races all season after starting the league with zero wins from eight matches.
Cardoso made a double change at the start of the second half, with Thabo Cele and Basadien making way for Aubrey Modiba and Marcelo Allende as the hosts looked to avoid another upset on home soil.
Gallants showed a little more fight in the second period**,** but they came up against Bafana Bafana international Ricardo Goss, who produced a vital save just before the hour mark to keep Sundowns in the lead.
Nuno Santos was introduced by Sundowns in the 64th minute and he almost doubled the lead minutes after coming on when he combined with Rayners in and around the 18-yard area before firing just wide of the upright.
The misses did not come back to haunt the Brazilians, who were able to see out the closing stages and booked their spot in the quarter-finals, with focus now shifting to Saturday’s clash against Durban City in the Betway Premiership.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Durban City (A), USM Alger, Kruger United (A), Polokwane City (H), Sekhukhune United (H)
Marumo Gallants: Siwelele FC (H), Golden Arrows (A), Richards Bay (H), Chippa United (H), Durban City (A)
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