Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the MTN8 quarter-final match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was the hero as Mamelodi Sundowns progressed the last four of the MTN8.
The 36-year-old saved four penalties to give the Brazilians the victory.
Stuart Baxter had cautioned that win or lose in Atteridgeville, Kaizer Chiefs fans needed to keep their eye on the bigger picture as the Amakhosi continue to rebuild.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs Match Highlights
Chiefs handed debuts to Kgaogelo Sekgota, Cole Alexander, Phathutshedzo Nange and Sifiso Hlanti.
Meanwhile, Sundowns surprisingly started with Mothobi Mvala and Haashim Domingo in midfield ahead of Sundowns’ experienced midfielders Hlompho Kekana and Andile Jali, who were on the bench.
Also, Mamelodi Sundowns were without their number one shot-stopper Denis Onyango. None of their new signings made the line-up.
The deadlock was broken nine minutes into the match as Lakay’s delightful cross was headed home by Shalulile to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead with the Chiefs defence exposed.
Three minutes later, Amakhosi’s defence was again in no man’s land as Lakay whipped in another teasing cross that Shalulile headed inches wide.
The Brazilians doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Mothobi Mvala threaded the ball through for Themba Zwane, who took one touch before firing the ball clinically into the bottom right-hand corner off the post on its way in.
It was one way traffic, as Mvala from long range in the 27th minute fired in a stinger which was only just tipped over the bar by Khune.
The hosts went to sleep at the back towards half-time and they conceded with Blom’s pinpoint cross being headed home by Parker in the 38th minute and the score was 2-1 to Sundowns at the interval.
The equaliser eventually came as Chiefs’ marquee signing Keagan Dolly made an immediate impact coming off the bench in the second stanza. He played a defence-splitting pass to fellow former Sundowns star Khama Billiat.
The Zimbabwe international made no mistake as he fired past keeper Kennedy Mweene to level matters at 2-2 a minute before the hour-mark and Chiefs’ comeback was complete.
Despite chances from both sides to snatch victory at the tail-end of the second half, the match went to extra-time and then to penalties.
Mweene proved to be the hero for the Tshwane giants as he denied Mathoho, Cardoso, Samir Nurkovic and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo during the shootout to ensure that Sundowns secured a 2-1 win on penalties.
All MTN8 Results
Golden Arrows 2-2 (won 4-3 on penalties) SuperSport United
Orlando Pirates 1-2 Swallows FC – See Match Report
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 (won 2-1 on penalties) Kaizer Chiefs
AmaZulu 1-2 Cape Town City