Downs stroll past disjointed Chiefs

By Michael Madyira

Iqraam Rayners grabbed a brace as Mamelodi Sundowns eased into the Carling Knockout semi-finals with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday. 

Rayners first struck from the penalty spot after 14 minutes before completing his double midway through the first period.

Peter Shalulile’s goal five minutes before half-time completed the job for the Brazilians.

Khuliso Mudau then put the contest way beyond Chiefs’ reach in the 61st minute.

Making it a woeful evening for Amakhosi was the red card to centre-back Inacio Miguel nine minutes into the second half to deplete an already shredded Chiefs defence. 

Sundowns now join Richards Bay, who beat Cape Town City 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, in the semi-finals.

Masandawana were in charge of proceedings from the first whistle and had Rayners being denied by the upright after five minutes.

Their dominance was duly turned into a goal when Chiefs buckled under pressure to have Njabulo Blom fouling Lucas Ribeiro Costa inside the box and earn Sundowns a penalty.

Rayners took the responsibility to convert from the spot and beat Fiacre Ntwari. 

A disjointed Amakhosi defence was what Sundowns thrived on and this time around Bradley Cross failed to clear a delivery from the right to allow Rayners good control of the ball before firing past Ntwari.

Shalulile almost extended Masandawana’s advantage on the half-hour mark but had Ntwari denying him in a face-to-face situation. 

The evening turned worse for the Soweto giants’ defenders who could not stop Shalulile from turning in an Aubrey Modiba cross.

As the visitors from Tshwane continued camping in Chiefs’ half, Ribeiro saw his effort crashing against the crossbar on the stroke of half-time. 

It was just not the Glamour Boys’ night and they then lost Miguel after he was shown his second yellow card for pulling down Shalulile. 

What was expected to be a fiercely contested match continued as a one-sided affair and this time Mudau finished a slicing pass from Ribeiro. 

At this point hopes of a comeback by Amakhosi appeared to have evaporated given their players’ defeated body language.

It was an easy evening for Sundowns who did not have to worry about any strong challenge from the Soweto giants until the final whistle. 

Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Khuliso Mudau’s goal against Kaizer Chiefs 

Source: Mamelodi Sundowns