Johannesburg, South Africa — Nigerian striker Raphael Chukwu scored a brace against Kaizer Chiefs to put defending league champions Sundowns into the Bopsave Super Bowl final.

After a goalless first half in which both sides missed half chances Sundowns looked the more determined side when play resumed.

A volley from the back saw a race between Chukwu and Chiefs defenders Lifa Gqosha and former Malawi captain Patrick Mabedi.

Chukwu latched onto the loose ball to beat Chiefs keeper Brian Baloyi 14 minutes into the second half.

Until then Chiefs new man Nhlanhla Kubheka had kept Chukwu in check.

A minute after he scored Chukwu again broke free and forced Baloyi to make a save.

Chiefs without experienced midfielder Doctor Khumalo, who started on the bench, looked disjointed in the middle of the park. Thabo Mooki and Patrick Mbuthu hardly combined to feed their strikers with good balls.

In the rather dull first half fans in the 70,000-seater FNB stadium, which was nearly full, watched in dismay as both teams wasted scoring opportunities.

Until Chukwu broke the deadlock, the defending league champions looked a pale shadow of their usual free flowing and attacking game that has earned them the nickname "the Brazilians."

Referee Petros Matebela issued five yellow cards for niggling challenges and time wasting.

With prize money upped to about 1,5 million Rands (187,000 US dollars), Sundowns have the upper hand over their less illustrious opponents Santos.

Santos booked a place in the final on Saturday with a last minute goal that took the wind out of a stubborn Moroka Swallows side.

Top of the 18-team league on 55 points, Sundowns have a realistic chance of winning the double - the BopSave Super bowl and the league title.

Swallows and Chiefs - losing semi-finalists, would each receive 300,000 Rands (37,000 US dollars).

A date for the final between Sundowns and Santos has not yet been set.