The first half was electric. Both sides produced a quality cup-tie that saw the action swing from one end to the other.

Sundowns signalled their intentions from the kick-off when playmaker Clement Mazibuko sent a screamer over the Chiefs crossbar.

Mazibuko was off target in the 19th minute. Two minutes later Chiefs Junior Khanye was also wide.

Downs keeper Andre Arendse pulled off a magnificent save from a 25-metre free kick from John "Shoes" Moshoeu in the 23rd minute.

At the other end Chiefs keeper Rowen Fernandez did well to prevent Siaka Tiene from scoring from close range in the 27th minute.

Then in the 33rd minute Mazibuko hit the side netting.

But disaster struck Sundowns when referee Jerome Damon awarded the visitors a penalty when he adjudged that defender Sashi Chalwe had pushed substitute striker David Radebe inside his penalty area.

Moshoeu made no mistake with a classic penalty.

Sibusiso Dlamini put Amakhosi 2-0 ahead in the 56th minute. But the goal seemed to inspire Sundowns who threw caution to the wind and were rewarded when Hilton Jordaan out jumped the Chiefs defence to head home Mazibuko’s 62nd minute corner.

Radebe should have scored in the 74th minute but miskicked with only Arendse to beat. Then with Downs piling on the pressure, Chiefs broke on the counterattack in the 87th minute with Moshoeu slipping the ball to substitute Jabu Mendu who beat Arendse with a low hard shot to make it 3-1 and the game safe for Chiefs.