SEDIBENG.- Mamelodi Sundowns ended the season on a disappointing note when they bowed out of the CAF Championship League Semi-Final.
Sundowns drew 2-2 against Wydad Casablanca in a Semi-Final second-leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. The Moroccan giants went through to the final through an away goals rule after the game ended at 2-2 to Sundowns’ hope to play in the final. Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile’s goals were not enough to secure Sundowns’ place in the final.
Not many expected Sudnowns to bow out of the CAF Champions League, especially after their five-star performance in the tournament. This is not how Sundowns wanted to end the season after being crowned the DStv Premiership Champions. The expectations were high for Sundowns to reach the final after holding Wydad Casablanca to a goalless draw in the first Semi-Final leg in Morocco a fortnight ago.
Despite the “defeat” Wydad coach was full of praise for Sundowns coach Rhuklani Mokwena and compared him with Machester City Manager Pep Guardiola. Just like Pitso Mosimane, Mokwena has attracted many clubs in Africa who are interested to sign him.
Speaking to the media after the game, Mokwena said he was proud of the brave fight his team put but it was not to be as Sundowns scored an own goal which proved to be a mountain to climb for this Tshwane side.
He said they were up against a well-oiled machine that knows how to win games away from home despite the pressure. Sundowsn threw every available to their opponents in search of a winning goal but Wydad defended with their backs against the wall to secure a draw away from. It will be a recap of last year’s final between Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca.
