Sundowns edge past Arrows into Carling semifinals

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInSports StaffEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandArthur Sales of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Junior Dion of Lamontville Golden Arrows in their Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 03 November 2026. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Iqraam Rayners’ 69th-minute strike earned Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Tuesday night and place in the Carling Knockout Cup semifinals.

As Arrows went out to impress new coach Mandla Ncikazi, who left Orlando Pirates as assistant to Abdeslam Ouaddou last week, the Kwazulu-Natal team made life difficult for the Brazilians at Loftus Versfeld.

Downs were playing the match in midweek, ahead of the weekend’s three other quarterfinals, because they contest the Caf Super Cup against USM Alger at Loftus on Sunday (3pm).

Rayners gets a touch on it and the deadlock is broken 🤩👆📺 Stream #CarlingKnockoutCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/zlJzBA8SxU

With one eye on that big match, where his team could lift their third trophy of the season to add to the MTN8 and African-Asian-Pacific Cup, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso rested some major performers. The Portuguese fielded some fringe players who have played an important role stepping in when called on amid Downs’ frenetic schedule such as Ricardo Goss on goal, Malibongwe Khoza, Mothobi Mvala, Antonio van Wyk, Bathusi Aubaas, Sphelele Mkhulise and Arthur Sales.

The ‘back-up’ combination took time to engineer the breakthrough against hard-working Arrows.

It came when Van Wyk cut inside from the left onto his right foot and shot from outside the box, Rayners getting the touch with his head past goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi.

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