Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the Carling Knockout final after beating Marumo Gallants 2-0 at a wet Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.
Masandawana will now play Magesi, who beat Richards Bay 1-0 on Saturday to reach their first-ever major cup final.
It proved to be a tight affair in the Free State, and Sundowns had to fight hard to progress.
Manqoba Mngqithi’s team looked to take control from the offset, and Iqraam Rayners had an early chance in the opening minute, but his header went straight at Washington Arubi.
But as the game wore on, Dan Malesela’s side began to cause a few problems, and Siyabulela Shai, who was once at Sundowns’ academy, tried his luck in the 17th minute but failed to threaten the goal as his shot flew over.
Ronwen Williams was needed in the 23rd minute to make a reflex save to deny Shai’s glancing header from a corner.
Peter Shalulile was unable to control his header in the 30th minute, and the attempt went wide.
The first half came to an end and it remained goalless, with Sundowns frustrated by a Gallants team who were not lying down.
Thapelo Dhludhlu had a good opportunity for Gallants in the second minute of the second half, but his shot flew across the face of Williams’ goal.
In the 50th minute Sundowns were awarded a penalty, after a clear handball from Marvin Sikhosana. Lucas Ribeiro stepped up and made no mistake as he sent Arubi diving in the wrong direction with a ‘panenka’.
Before the hour mark, long-range efforts from Sekela Sithole and Teboho Mokoena at either end failed to trouble the keepers.
The home team had a great chance when Dhludhlu found himself one-on-one with Williams in the 67th minute, but the Bafana Bafana captain made a great save to deny the Gallants winger.
A Rayners’ shot a minute later lacked power, and Arubi was able to gather, before a wild attempt from Khuliso Mudau in the 69th minute was blasted over.
The Brazilians did well to slow the pace down in the final 20 minutes and managed the remaining minutes, and just before the final whistle they wrapped up the result as Neo Maema crowned off the win, finishing after some good interplay by the Downs attackers.
The final is scheduled for the 23rd of November at the Toyota Stadium.
