Sundowns are the champs!

All hail Mamelodi Sundowns, the kings of Africa!

The Brazilians were crowned the African champions despite their 1-0 loss to Egyptian giants Zamalek tonight as they had done the job at home last weekend with a 3-0 victory.

The newly-crowned 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 losing the first leg 3-0 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, but Sundowns survived the onslaught with time-wasting 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 a few minutes later when they lost Onyango to a head injury he suffered earlier in the game – he 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 defence with his pace and skill, also came close to silencing the supporters but his effort could not trouble Mahmoud.

Sundowns did well to go into 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.