All hail Mamelodi Sundowns, the kings of Africa!
Last night the Brazilians became the second South African
side to have lifted the CAF Champions League trophy winning 3-1 on aggregate
against Egyptian giants Zamalek in their own backyard.
Sundowns were crowned the African champions despite
their 1-0 loss to Zamalek as they had done the job at home last weekend with a
3-0 victory.
The newly-crowned African champions will now
represent the continent at the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan in December.
It was not easy for the South Africans, though, as
they had to weather all sorts of storms to clinch the biggest continental club
competition.
After winning the first leg 3-0 at home last
weekend, the onus was on Zamalek to take the game to Sundowns as they tried to
reverse the scoreline.
As expected, the home side was aggressive from the
first whistle as they were chasing the scoreline from the first game last
weekend.
But Sundowns survived the onslaught with time delaying tactics at times which killed the momentum of the game.
The home side showed desperation from the onset and
did not waste time in launching their attack as they knew the only way back
into the tie was to score goals and they needed an early goal to rattle
Sundowns. However the Brazilians were prepared for anything thrown at them as
they defended in numbers to the dismay of coach Pitso Mosimane.
The Egyptians should have taken the lead in the 26th
minute but surprisingly Stanley Chawuchi’s effort narrowly missed the target
with Denis Onyango clearly beaten.
Downs suffered a huge blow few minutes later when
they lost Onyango to a head injury he suffered earlier in the game and had to
be stretchered off. His replacement Wayne Sandilands was tested in the 40th
minute but he did well to parry the ball for a corner.
Sundowns had their chances too as they caught
Zamalek with quick counter attacks. Percy Tau brought out a brilliant save from
goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmoud.
With the home supporters becoming anxious with every
Sundowns forward move, the Brazilians could not capitalise on Zamalek’s
frailness at the back.
Khama Billiat, who was a constant threat to the defense with his pace and skill, also came close to silencing the supporters but to no avail.
Sundowns did well to go to the break without
conceding a goal and all they needed to do in the second half was to make sure
they did not let in three or more goals.
Zamalek were on the scoresheet in the 64th minute
through Chawuchi’s shot which beat Sandilands. But that was all they could
offer and Downs emerged victorious.
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