Away goal gives Pitso and Sundowns hope

Pitso Mosimane had reason to cheer on the back of his side’s precious away goal in Morocco on Friday, which leaves their Caf Champions League semifinal on a knife-edge ahead of the second leg on Saturday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The Brazilians lost 2-1 in Rabat, but Anele Ngcongca’s strike was the first time they have scored away from home at Wydad in four attempts. A 1-0 win in Atteridgeville on Saturday would see Sundowns progress to the final.

“While I’m not entirely happy with the result, I’m happy with the performance from the team because it’s always a difficult place for us here in Morocco but we improve,” said Mosimane.

“We made a lot of mistakes at the back, but you have to understand that everyone is stressed because it’s the Caf Champions League semifinals and everyone wants to go to the final.

“It was the first time I have seen Wydad so stressed at the back, it’s also because we scored the important away goal.”

Salheddine Saidi opened the scoring for Wydad in the 26th minute, but Ngcongca headed Sundowns level three minutes before the break, after Hlompho Kekana’s effort was deflected into his path.

A minute after half-time, Wydad went in front again, with Denis Onyango, who had an excellent game overall, only able to push Ismail el Haddad’s effort into the path of Badie Aouk, who made no mistake from close range.

Wydad may live to regret other wasted chances, however, especially when substitute Gabrel Okechukwu failed to connect with a misplaced backpass from Tebogo Langerman in the final seconds.

“This last opportunity? Even I would have registered,” Wydad coach Faouzi Benzarti told Arryadia TV after the match.

“We put pressure on our opponents and played well, but failed to kill off the match.”

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