Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place in the Nedbank Cup final after they defeated Royal AM 2-1 in the semi-finals at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Brazilians made two changes to their side that drew with Cape Town City in midweek as Khuliso Mudau and Pavol Safranko came in to replace Themba Zwane and Rushine De Reuck.

Sundowns had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 16th minute when Safranko cut the ball back to Neo Maema, who failed to make the most of his opportunity as he blasted his effort over the crossbar.

Peter Shalulile had a chance to hand Sundowns the lead on the half hour mark but the striker blazed his effort over the bar after receiving a cut back from Maema.

Sundowns were forced into making a substitution in the 39th minute as Divine Lunga came on to replace the injured Brian Onyango.

Both teams pressed forward in the closing stages of the first half but neither side could find the opening goal as the game went into the break locked at goalless.

The visitors came out guns blazing in the second half as they managed to take the lead in the 62nd minute through a curling free kick by Aubrey Modiba.

The Brazilians opted to make their second substitution of the game in the 66th minute as Bradley Ralani was taken off and replaced by Themba Zwane.

Royal AM managed to draw the game level in the 72nd minute after Thabo Matlaba found the back of the net to score his first league goal of the season.

But their lead only lasted three minutes as Sundowns restored their one goal advantage after Safranko slotted the ball home after Shalilule pressurised the keeper into making a mistake.

Sundowns made their final substitution with nine minutes left to play as Safranko and Maema were taken off and subsequently replaced by Lyle Lakay and Gaston Sirino.

However, Sundowns held on to their narrow lead over Royal AM until the final whistle to book their place in the finals of the Nedbank Cup.

©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix