How the game unfolded
Polokwane stunned the home crowd early. Bonginkosi Dlamini put the visitors ahead in the 7th minute, capitalising on a bright start from Rise and Shine and catching Sundowns cold. The champions responded with authority. Tebogo Mokoena levelled in the 21st minute, restoring parity and settling the nerves, before Antonio Van Wyk made it 2-1 just past the half-hour mark. At that stage it looked as though the expected hierarchy was being restored.
Polokwane had other ideas. Tidimalo Molokwane equalised around the hour mark, forcing the game back to square one and ensuring the second half remained tense and open. Both sides created chances, but neither could find a winner in normal time. Extra time was required.
The decisive moment
With the contest deep into extra time and a penalty shoot-out looking likely, Cassius Mailula came off the bench and delivered the moment of quality that separated the teams. His strike in the 113th minute proved the difference, sparking celebrations among the Sundowns support and sending the holders into the last four.
It was a classic cup scrap. Sundowns had the superior quality and squad depth, but Polokwane’s organisation, counter-attacking threat and refusal to accept the underdog role made them extremely difficult to put away. The visitors can leave Pretoria with their heads high after a performance that asked serious questions of the continental champions.
What it means
Sundowns join Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals after the Buccaneers had earlier edged Durban City 2-1 in extra time. The MTN8 continues to deliver drama, and both of South Africa’s traditional heavyweights are still standing. For Miguel Cardoso’s side, progression keeps their domestic cup ambitions alive as they balance league and continental commitments.
For Polokwane, it was a valiant effort that once again showed why they are a difficult side to break down on their day. They pushed a far more fancied opponent all the way and forced them into extra time and beyond.
Another hard-fought afternoon in the Wafa Wafa. Sundowns advance, but they were made to work for every inch of it. Never Stop Rising.