Mamelodi Sundowns secured a place in the 2026 Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening.
In a game that was brought forward by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) due to Sundowns’ upcoming CAF Super Cup final against USM Alger, head coach Miguel Cardoso once again rung the chances.
The likes of Mothobi Mvala, Sphelele Mkhulise, Antonio van Wyk, Arthur Sales earned starts, in a squad heavily rotated to keep his side fresh for the continental event this Sunday.
And while Arrows, led by new head coach Mandla Ncikazi, made Masandawana sweat for their victory, in a game that could have gone either way, it was Iqraam Rayners who settled the neves with 20 minutes to go.
The Bafana Bafana striker guided Antonio van Wyk’s fierce shot beyond Dumsani Msibi after 68 minutes, to ease the nerves of the supporters and notably the Sundowns bench that were seeminly agitated by the thoughts of extra-time potentially looming.
Sundowns become the first side to book their place in the last-four, with three more fixtures still to be played this weekend.
Remaining quarter-final ties:
- Orlando Pirates vs Sekhukhune United – 7 November (Orlando Stadium)
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Siwelele – 8 November (Peter Mokaba Stadium)
- Stellenbosch vs AmaZulu – 8 November (Danie Craven Stadium)
