Sundowns book MTN8 semi spot

Grobler with four minutes left in the first half.

The Zimbabwean scored with his first touch, with a looping header from Jeremy Brockie’s cross.

Ronwen Williams remained flat-footed when the Brazilians regained their lead in the 74th minute, when Sibusiso Vilakazi netted his first goal for the club, guiding Hlompho Kekana’s brilliant volley home.

Moments earlier Vilakazi had been denied by Williams from point-blank range.

Khama Billiat curled in the third goal five minutes later to make sure of the result. Percy Tau and Vilakazi teamed up down the left flank to set up the Zimbabwe international who sealed the victory, booking Sundowns’ place in the MTN8 semi-final and sending the home fans into delirium.

For all United’s brave fight, Sundowns countered it with their class to win their first match of the 2016/17 season comfortably. But the Brazilians have had plenty of practice for this campaign, playing four games while the other teams were in recess.

Juggling three competitions will test Sundowns’ depth, with the Absa Premiership to defend, two-legged MTN8 semi-finals and an appearance in the CAF Champions League semi-finals against Zesco United. However, the first leg of that match against Zesco in Zambia clashes with the second leg of Sundowns’ MTN8 tie with Chippa United on the weekend of September 17 to 18 in Pretoria.

Bidvest Wits will host Cape Town City in the first leg, which will be played on the weekend of September 10 to 11.