Ndlovu with wondergoal as Sundowns bounce back from CAF heartbreak

Mamelodi Sundowns bounced back from their CAF Champions League disappointment as they beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 to seal a place in the Carling Knockout quarter-final on Tuesday.

Sundowns, still hurting from their preliminary round elimination from the Champions League, were not at their brilliant best but still did enough to get the job done.

Siyanda Ndlovu delivered the killer blow after 20 minutes and in some style. Iqraam Rayners brought in a great pass and the ex-Golden Arrows star received it from what looked to be an impossible angle.

Sundowns edge tight contest

However, the forward still found the breakthrough as he refiled it into the roof of the net for what is the goal of the tournament so far.

There would be no further goals in the contest but not for the lack of trying from Sundowns. Arthur Sales missed from close range early in the second half while Nuno Santos and Rayners combined well in the 74^th minute but saw the effort go wide.

‘Big Three’ in Carling quarters

Sundowns would hold on to avoid another shocking result against the team that knocked them out of the competition at this very stage last season while Gallants, finalists in 2025-26, kissed the tournament goodbye.

With Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates winning big, the top sides are all in the Carling Knockout quarter-final and are joined by AmaZulu FC, Sekhukhune United, Siwelee FC and Golden Arrows while the lineup will be complete when Durban City and Stellenbosch FC face off on Wednesday.