Mamelodi Sundowns are the only remaining South African team left in continental competition this season. The Brazilians reached the final of the CAF Champions League thanks to the away goal rule thanks to a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their semi-final against Al Ahly. An all-South African final looked to be on the cards before Orlando Pirates were beaten in the closing stages of their semi-final away to Pyramids.
Stellenbosch FC’s fairytale run in the CAF Confederation Cup came to an end after they narrowly lost out 1-0 to Simba SC in the second leg of their encounter.
Sundowns force stalemate to reach CAF Champions League final
The equation was simple heading into the second leg of Masandawana’s clash with the Egyptian Red Devils, with the score perfectly poised at 0-0. The Brazilians headed to Cairo looking to snatch a win or forcing a score-draw against the competition’s most successful club.
Al Ahly drew first blood in the encounter inside the opening 25 minutes in the Egyptian capital, thanks to a Taher Mohamed strike. Miguel Cardoso’s side created chances that unsettled the Cairo International Stadium – adding more drama to the tense affair. The Club of the Century dominated large parts of possession but Sundowns remained resilient in the hope of snatching a result.
And ten minutes from time the Brazilians forced the issue with relentless pressure which ultimately led to Yasser Ibrahim turning the ball into his own net. All square is how the score remained as the gritty Brazilians ensured that Al Ahly’s winless streak against the South Africans continued.
Pirates come undone in Egyptian capital
Orlando Pirates harboured hopes of sending Jose Riveiro back to Spain on the back of a historic treble, but it was not to be. Much like the Sundowns-Al Ahly tie, it was honours even after a goalless first leg in South Africa.
Relebohile Mofokeng once again dazzled under the bright lights of Africa’s biggest club football competition and it was the 20- year-old who opened the scoring with his fifth Champions League goal of the campaign, late on in the first half. Pirates’ lead didn’t last long, as Pyramids hit back on the stroke of half-time as Fiston Mayele tapped home from close range.
The Buccaneers went on the offensive to start the second period which bared fruit when Mohau Nkota unleashed a venomous strike to give the visitors the lead after 52 minutes. The Sea Robbers’ leadwas once again short-lived after a lapse in concentration at the back allowed substitute Ramadan Sobhi to head the hosts back on level terms. Pyramids pile on the pressure with a flurry of attacking waves as they went in search of the winning goal.
Mayele bagged his second of the night in the 84 th minute to land the killer blow after Pirates failed to clear their lines from a corner. That goal ultimately took the win out of the Sea Robbers’ sails and dashed their treble hopes in the process as Pyramids created history of their own by reaching the Champions League final for the very first time.
Valiant Stellenbosch bow out in semi-finals
Stellenbosch’s debut season in CAF competitions may have gone up in smoke but their journey to final captivated the rest of the continent and much of the South African footballing fraternity. No one expected the Maroons to make it to the last four but their giant-killing efforts against Zamalek grabbed everyone’s attention – with the hope that their fairytale run would lead them to the final. Instead, it was a fellow South African in, Fadlu Davids, who proved to be the master of their undoing. The South African coach masterminded a 1-0 victory over the two legs but needed to protect their slender 1-0 advantage they gained in the first leg. Davids’ men navigated their way through a tricky trip to Durban on route to becoming the second Tanzanian side in three seasons to reach the CAF Confed Cup final. Simba SC will face two-time winners RS Berkane on May 17.
Masandawana’s continental dream so close they can almost taste it
Sundowns are on the verge of African glory once again, with Miguel Cardoso poised to deliver what he was brought in for in his first season – the CAF Champions League title.
Masandawana will face Pyramids in a two-legged tie for the coveted title. The first leg takes on at Loftus Versfeld on May 24th before the return leg at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on June 1st .
