Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the Nedbank Cup final with a 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday afternoon.
Masandawana welcomed back Ronwen Williams, Rivaldo Coetzee and Peter Shalulile notably from the 5-1 hammering of Kaizer Chiefs, with Oscarine Masuluke in goal for the Maroons.
Masuluke was in a moment of hesitation five minutes apart and needed to come out to thwart Shalulile taking flight from point-blank range on the back of a cross played in.
It culminated with the opener six minutes later when a high-press by Brazilians caught the host and saw Lucas Ribeiro Costa release Mudau on the right to finish from a tight angle.
The Maroons eagerly looked to claw level in forward passes to the wide and central attacking area though Iqraam Rayners and Devon Titus but were snuffed out.
A lengthy stoppage followed due to the assistant referee Zakhele Siwela picking up a knock and replaced by fourth official Christopher Kistoor.
In the same vein, Masandawana removed Divine Lunga to bring on Thapelo Morena in a tactical substitution by the all-conquering South African champions.
Former Orlando Pirates star man Thembinkosi Lorch came on after halftime and took the place of the midweek hero against Chiefs – Tashreeq Matthews.
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Stellies enjoyed plenty of openings earlier on and where Rayners dropped deep to get in on the far side only to drag across the face of goal.
The Brazilians battled to maintain fluidity and were troubled by the Maroons overloads and speed in behind the defence with the main culprits Rayners, Titus, Jayden Adams.
Lorch, who were on target midweek, doubled the lead over ten minutes in when he ran in on the shoulder to fire in off the glove of Masuluke.
Sundowns should’ve made it three minutes apart from the spot following Qabolwakhe Sibande’s foul on Mudau, but Shalulile fired into the crowd and missed the opportunity.
A nervous finish followed when the Maroons halved the advantage as Genino Palace ran clear following a through ball and finished from close-range.
Shalulile was close to redeem himself following the missed spot-kick in the final minute, but he pulled a cutback and slammed the woodwork.
The Tshwane heavyweights survived all of the late pressure and confirmed victory to set-up a date with Pirates in the final.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Masuluke, Toure, Moloisane, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Nduli, De Jong, Oura, Titus, Rayners
Subs: Stephens, Mcaba, Sibande, Mgaga, Jurgens, Van Wyk, Palace, Boji, Colley
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Lunga, Coetzeee, Kekana, Aubaas, Allende, Zwane, Matthews, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: D.Onyango, Mvala, Modiba, Mkhulise, Mbule, Esquivel, Nku, Morena
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