Sundowns set up chance for domestic treble after beating Royal AM to make Nedbank Cup final

Mamelodi Sundowns remain on course for a treble this season after beating Royal AM 2-1 in their Nedbank Cup semi-final tie at Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night.

Having already secured the Premiership and MTN 8, the Brazilians will now go in search of the Nedbank Cup trophy as well when they face Marumo Gallants in the final at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on 28 May. 

It was a Cup tie between the top two sides on the league table, and true to their form, Royal AM proved a tough nut to crack in the first half as they looked resolute in defence.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for Sundowns, while an injury to defender Brian Onyango further disrupted their rhythm.

With 15 minutes gone, a good assist from Pavol Safranko gave Neo Maema a chance to shoot, but the effort was wide of the target.

Just after the half-hour mark, it was Peter Shalulile's turn to fire over the crossbar after a cut-back from Maema had given him a chance to find the target.

Sundowns continued to find themselves frustrated early in the second half, but the opening goal finally arrived just after the hour mark when Aubrey Modiba took aim with a curling free-kick on the edge of the area that took a deflection before finding the back of the net.

But having done all of the hard work to get in front, Sundowns would have been disappointed to concede just 10 minutes later.

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango should have done better to stop the shot from Thabo Matlaba, who scored his first goal of the season following a good run.

Luckily for Sundowns, the mistake did not cost them too dearly, as they were back in front just three minutes later.

Royal AM had no one but themselves to blame for the goal, however, as some good pressing from Shalulile saw Royal