Mamelodi Sundowns Defeat Marumo Gallants 2-0 in Semi-Final at Dr Molemela Stadium to Face Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup Final

Mamelodi Sundowns are heading to the Carling Knockout Cup final after defeating Marumo Gallants 2-0 in a tense semi-final on Sunday at the Dr Molemela Stadium.

Goals from Lucas Ribeiro, who converted a penalty in the 53rd minute, and Neo Maema, who sealed the win with a last-minute strike, handed Sundowns the victory and a ticket to face Magesi FC in the final.

Key Players Missing for Sundowns

Ahead of the semi-final, Mamelodi Sundowns faced a challenge with eight of their key players sidelined due to injury.

These included important names like Keagan Johannes, Lesiba Nku, Themba Zwane, Tashreeq Matthews, Siyabonga Mabena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thembinkosi Lorch, and Rushine De Reuck.

Despite these absences, Sundowns managed to secure the win, showcasing their depth and resilience.

Challenging Pitch Conditions at Dr Molemela Stadium

Heavy rainfall drenched the Dr Molemela Stadium before the game, making the pitch slippery and uneven.

While the rain cleared up before kickoff, the surface remained difficult for both teams.

Despite the challenging conditions, both sides fought hard, with Sundowns managing to outplay Gallants in the second half to secure the win.

Marumo Gallants Fail to Capitalize on Opportunities

While Gallants had a few promising chances, they struggled to convert their opportunities into goals.

Sundowns, on the other hand, showed their experience and composure, making sure to capitalize on their chances in the second half.

Marumo Gallants couldn’t match the clinical finishing of the Brazilians, and their lack of precision ultimately cost them a spot in the final.

Sundowns Set to Face Magesi FC in the Final

With the win over Gallants, Mamelodi Sundowns are now set to meet Magesi FC in the Carling Knockout Cup final.

Magesi secured their place in the final with a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Saturday.

The Limpopo side, in their debut season, are making history by reaching the final, becoming only the second newly-promoted club to do so.

The final between Sundowns and Magesi will take place at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, 23 November 2024, with Magesi FC designated as the home team.

The stage is set for an exciting showdown between the seasoned giants and the up-and-coming debutants.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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