Sundowns Make History as Rayners Sends Masandawana to Carling Knockout Cup Semi-Finals

PRETORIA – Mamelodi Sundowns have made history by becoming the first team to secure a spot in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners was the standout player, netting the crucial goal that propelled the Brazilians into the semi-finals and kept their ambitions for another domestic trophy alive.

The quarter-final match took place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with Sundowns aiming to build on their recent successes and continue their quest for silverware under head coach Miguel Cardoso.

The encounter was anticipated to be a tough challenge for Sundowns, especially against a Golden Arrows team that had presented difficulties earlier in the season. In their previous clash during the MTN8 semi-finals, Sundowns had to rally after losing the first leg to advance.

With a spot in the Carling Knockout semi-finals at stake, the importance of the match was palpable.

Sundowns entered the game with confidence after an impressive 4-1 victory over Durban City in the Betway Premiership. Cardoso also needed to manage his squad carefully as they prepared for an upcoming CAF Super Cup match against USM Alger.

Despite making several changes to the starting eleven, the Brazilians were committed to ensuring qualification and avoiding another disappointing cup exit.

In contrast, Golden Arrows sought to create an upset under returning head coach Mandla Ncikazi. The KwaZulu-Natal team had demonstrated their offensive strength earlier in the competition, including a notable win against Chippa United, but faced a tough challenge against Sundowns.

The game's defining moment arrived when Rayners scored, capitalizing on a chance created by Antonio Van Wyk. This goal was enough to secure Sundowns’ progression to the next round.

Rayners' performance once again underscored his significance to the team, as he has consistently posed a threat in attack, providing Cardoso with a dependable option in crucial situations.

For Sundowns, this victory marks another milestone towards adding the Carling Knockout Cup to their trophy cabinet this season. The club has already celebrated success in the MTN8 and will now prepare for the semi-final draw.

The win also serves as a timely morale boost ahead of their continental commitments, giving the squad confidence and momentum for the demanding challenges ahead.

On the other hand, Golden Arrows will be disappointed to exit the tournament after a solid performance but can now refocus on their league ambitions.

With Sundowns advancing to the last four, the spotlight will now turn to the other quarter-final matches to determine the remaining three semi-finalists.

Source; https://www.facebook.com/61574513770518/posts/122180139626817125/?app=fbl