Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Andile Jali of Moroka Swallows during MTN8 quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 12 August 2023 Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
WATCH: Themba Zwane breaks the deadlock in Sundowns v Swallows
Watch Themba Zwane open the scoring for Mamelodi Sundowns in their MTN 8 quarter-final against Swallows.
Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Andile Jali of Moroka Swallows during MTN8 quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on 12 August 2023 Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Themba Zwane opened the scoring for Mamelodi Sundowns in their MTN 8 quarter-final against Swallows at at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Zwane started a breakaway with an intercept before strong work from Lucas Ribeiro and a cool finish from the skipper.
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WATCH: Themba Zwane breaks the deadlock
Sundowns made three changes from their victory over Kaizer Chiefs, recalling Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, and Neo Maema. Swallows, meanwhile, welcomed back Tlakusani Mthethwa and Vusi Sibiya.
The Dube Birds had a terrible start to the match when Andile Jali, a former Sundowns star, was sent off for a lunging foul on Teboho Mokoena and they were down to 10 men after only seven minutes.
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Khuliso Mudau suffered an injury after only 15 minutes and was finally replaced by new acquisition Bathusi Aubaas, who made his debut, but this prevented Sundowns from finding their rhythm.
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Around the halfway point, the Brazilians began to pose a danger. Aubaas came close to opening the scoring with a long-range rocket that he dragged just wide, while Thapelo Maseko circled stopper Daniel Akpeyi but was unable to find the goal or a teammate from an acute angle.
Akpeyi kept the score level at halftime after denying Mokoena, who fired a shot at goal after finding himself unmarked in the box just before the break. Steve Komphela’s charges were forced back into their own half time and again.
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However the critical goal came on the break even if there was a hint of offside about it.
Sundowns vs Swallows: Teams
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Maema, Zwane, Maseko, Ribeiro
Subs: D.Onyango, B.Onyango, Mashego, Zungu, Mbule, Aubaas, Nku, Mabena, Shalulile
Moroka Swallows: Akpeyi, Phillips, Allan, Sibiya, Sam, Mthethwa, Jali, Malinga, Ntsako, Mtshali, Mabasa
Subs: Mbanjwa, Shwabule, S.Sibiya, Wambi, Phalane, Van Rhyn, Mhango, Zuma, Damons.
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