by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
Mamelodi Sundowns have beaten Moroka Swallows to go through to the semi-finals of the MTN8.
The two kicked-off the quarterfinal fixtures on Saturday afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the city of Tshwane. The league hosted members of the media, the eight coaches and their club captains to the launch of the Ke Yona tournament on Thursday in Randburg. Here, the new trophy design was also unveiled.
The match, which was poorly attended by both home and away fans, saw a dramatic start following marching orders given to Swallows captain, Andile Jali, who was red carded by referee Cedric Muvhali following a dangerous tackle on Teboho Mokoena’s leg in the 7th minute of the match.
Jali, a former Sundowns player, joined Swallows at the start of the 2023/24 season. He was announced as the Birds’ new acquisition a few days after the Dobsonville based club named another former Sundowns man in Steve Komphela as their head coach.
The match saw both sides struggle to find the back of the net in the first half, with the single goal of the afternoon coming from Sundowns skipper Themba Zwane, just after the start of the second half.
While the hosts missed a couple of chances to increase the score, it was the Dube Birds goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi who received the Man of the Match accolade for his showing.