Anthony Laffor © Gallo Images
A late second-half goal from Anthony Laffor secured a 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns over Chippa United in a MTN8 second-leg semifinal clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday evening.
The first-leg clash in Port-Elizabeth ended in a goalless stalemate.
The Brazilians will next face Bidvest Wits in the 2016 MTN8 final at the Mbombela Stadium. The game in Nelspruit is set to take place on 1 October.
Sundowns went on the offensive from the onset and almost found the opener in the second minute. Keagan Dolly burst into the area before cutting in-field on his weaker right footer; his resulting shot, though, was well kept out by Daniel Akpeyi.
The Brazilians launched wave after wave of attack, and after Yannick Zakri blazed his marker the Ivorian laid it on a silver platter for the onrushing Khama Billiat, who could only manage to scuff his shot wide of goal on 16 minutes.
While the hosts dominated the early exchanges, with Wayne Arendse also calling Akpeyi into action, the Chilli Boys started to muscle their way back into the clash and created a few chances of their own.
Denis Onyango was forced into a good save to deny Marc van Heerden’s floating free-kick, who had the beating of everyone, but the Ugandan No 1.
Dan Malesela’s men were playing some eye-catching football and after the ball fell to Andile Mbenyane in the 39th minute the attacker looked sure to score - a timely deflection, though, sent the ball off course as the stanza ended 0-0.
In stark contrast to the first half, the second got off to a rather cagey start with Pitso Mosimane reacting quickly; introducing Laffor just short of the hour with the hope that he would inspire the hosts to victory.
The super sub produced the goods once again, finding the back of the net on 75 minutes. A blistering counter-attack ending with Sibusiso Vilakazi setting up the Liberian international who hammered a low shot past Akpeyi to spark wild celebrations.
Chippa threw everything, but the kitchen sink forward in attack as they went in search of what would have been the winner, but Sundowns held on to book their place in next month’s showpiece.
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Laffor 75’)
Chippa United (0) 0
Teams:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Mbekile, Arendse, Nascimento, Langerman - Kekana (Modise 86’), Mabunda - Vilakazi, Zakri (Laffor 57’), Dolly (Tau 71’) - Billiat
Chippa United: Akpeyi; Thopola, Okwuosa,Kama, Van Heerden - Sali (Manzine 63’), Mdaki (Mbokoma 86’), Wambi - Mbenyane, Masuku, Lorch (Bereng 86’). (Source: Supersport.com).