Mamelodi Sundowns slicked past AmaZulu by beating them 3-0 at FNB Stadium to reach the final of the Carling Black Label Cup on Saturday morning.
It could have been more for Sundowns, but Cassius Mailula who scored the first goal, was profligacy in front of goals in the first half.
They had to wait later on in the game to score two as Haashim Domingo and Surprise Ralani’s stunning curler made sure the Tshwane giants reach the final at 5pm later on the day at FNB Stadium.
Sundowns missed plenty of chances and they could have easily had five goals in the first half, but it was only 1-0 through Mailula.
The 21-year-old took full advantage from the slack defence of Usuthu, blocking Ethan Brooks and while he was slipping in taking a shot, the ball deflected off AmaZulu defence, wrongfooling Veli Mothwa, who tried all his best to claw it away, but he also lost his footing and the ball nestled in.
It is an incredible start for Malilula, who this goal was his sixth in eight matches.
After that, it was one way traffic for Sundowns, as AmaZulu were kept camping in their half.
However, Lehlohonolo Majoro thought he had equalised for Usuthu just before half time but he was flagged offside, in what was their rare move forward.
With the conditions underfoot very soft, both set of players struggled to navigate as they were slipping and sliding.
Mothwa, in coming out to clear the danger, also lost his footing when the second half had just started, but Gift Motupa was adjudged to be offside.
Usuthu coach Romain Folz had made three changes before the second half started, with Dumisani Zuma, Rally Bwalya and Mbongeni Gumede coming on for Abbubaker Mobara, Msindisi Ndlovu and Keagan Buchanan, trying to stop the danger.
The stroll that Sundowns had in the first half continued and Motupa was denied by Mothwa from tight angle.
Usuthu had a better chance in the 59th minute when Brooks fed Gabadinho Mhango but the latter tried to cushion it but Ronwen Williams got down well to save it.
While Themba Zwane was denied by Mothwa outside the box, Domingo calmed the nerves, opening his body up to slot it at the far corner after a good pick out by Sirino in the 69th minute.
Surprise Ralani curled the third in the 73rd minute, to seal an easy win for the Tshwane giants.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are up next in the second semi final at 12 noon, with the winner set to meet Sundowns later.
