Mamelodi Sundowns have booked a place in the semifinals of the Carling Knockout after they defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday evening.

It was a game of patience for the Brazilians, who dominated from early on and created numerous scoring chances, but had to wait until midway through the second stanza to finally break the deadlock, via Iqraam Rayners, against a stubborn and determined Abafana Bes’thende.

Sundowns created the first clear chance of the game 12 minutes in, with a fine pass from Sphelele Mkhulise handing Iqraam Rayners a sight of goal, but the Bafana Bafana striker was unable to take advantage.

Rayners soon teed up Siyanda Ndlovu, who unleashed a fierce shot that had the beating of Arrows goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, but rebounded off the crossbar.

Arrows began to find their confidence and rhythm as the half wore on, with Nhlanhla Gasa and Ayabulela Maxwele combining to good effect in the 23rd minute, but the latter was denied by an unconvincing save from ‘Downs goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

Just past the half hour mark Sundowns hit the woodwork again, with a shot from Rayners deflecting off Eroine Agnikoi and clipping the post on its way out for a corner kick.

Mothobi Mvala then came close to catching Msibi out with a long-range effort, but the ‘keeper just about managed to spare his blushes.

The Brazilians threatened again near the end of the first half when Ndlovu teed up Arthur Sales with a good chance, but the No 9 failed to provide a finish – summing up a frustrating first 45 minutes for the home team.

Ten minutes into the second half Rayners tried a volley on the half-turn, with his effort looking destined for the back of the net until Msibi intervened to concede a corner kick.

Midway through the second half Sundowns made a triple change, sending on Marcelo Allende, Thabang Matuludi and Cassius Mailula, and they were rewarded almost immediately, as Rayners provided a fine finish from Antonio Van Wyk’s cross-shot in the 69th minute to finally break the deadlock.

Arrows threatened an almost immediate reply via Philani Khumalo, but the substitute shot over the target in the 72nd minute. That chance was followed by a long-range drive from Matuludi at the other end, but Msibi made the save to keep the score at 1-0.

The hosts were able to see out the dying minutes despite Arrows’ best efforts to find an equaliser and force extra time.

Sundowns will go on to face USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup on Sunday 8 November, while Arrows’ next scheduled fixture is a Betway Premiership match away to Orlando Pirates in late November.

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Rayners 69’)

Golden Arrows 0

SUNDOWNS: Goss, Morena (Matuludi 67’), Mvala, Khoza, Basadien (Modiba 78’), Aubaas, Mkhulise (Allende 67’), Sales (Mailula 67’), Ndlovu, Van Wyk (Santos 84’), Rayners

ARROWS: Msibi, Shezi, Agnikoi, Jiyane, Maluleke (Cele 69’), Maxwele, Gasa (Van Neel 60’), Zwane (Moli 78’), Msomi (Mabaso 69’), Sithole (P. Khumalo 69’), Dion