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Despite being defeated in Morocco on Friday, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Mamelodi Sundowns in their bid to reach another Total CAF Champions League final.
Defender Anele Ngcongca’s goal in the team’s 2-1 loss to Wydad Athletic in Rabat gave the Brazilians a lifeline ahead of the return leg, which takes place in Atteridgeville, Pretoria on Saturday.
The crucial away goal means that a 1-0 win for Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium will be enough to steer them into their second final in three years against a side that succeeded Downs as the African club champions in 2017.
Ngcongca was one of the return soldiers to coach Pitso Mosimane’s line-up in the premier continental competition on Friday. The side was also boosted by Gastón Sirino in the front line and Denis Onyango in goal after the trio missed the quarterfinal return leg against Al Ahly in Egypt a fortnight ago.
On Friday, Downs – who are yet to beat Wydad away after four attempts – held their own against the Moroccan champions.
The South African league title-chasers were put under siege in the crucial phases of the game, but maintained their composure and were on the ball despite the jeers and whistles ringing out around the packed Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Tshwane giants were a goal down 26 minutes into the game, when Salah Eddine Said tapped home from a counter-attack. But Downs’ chances of turning the tide received a massive boost when Ngcongca headed one home four minutes before half-time.
Read: Sundowns hope Wydad clash will be moved to Saturday
However, a lapse in concentration after recess handed Wydad what turned out to be the deciding strike after Badie Aouk’s 47th-minute goal ensured that his side heads to Pretoria with their tails up.
Much as Sundowns had a sniff at a Wydad goal on a few occasions – including Lebohang Maboe’s ground shot that came off the upright – the visitors heaved a sigh of relief when Themba Zwane’s attempted clearance came off the post late in the game.
In the end, it was Ngcongca’s goal that still put a smile on Mosimane’s face, fulfilling the 54-year-old’s wish to “break the ice at Wydad”, given the fact that the Brazilians lost their previous three encounters via 1-0 margins.
What could also come in as a plus-factor for Downs in the return leg is the fact that CAF has granted them a 3pm kickoff, which has proved to be a tough battle for visiting teams, especially those from North Africa who are mostly used to playing in the evening.
This has worked like magic, given how the Brazilians recently demolished eight-time champions Al Ahly 5-0 in an afternoon match at the quarterfinal stage, as well as their 3-0 annihilation of Zamalek in 2016.
Sundowns will fancy their chances of desposing of Wydad, a club they have already beaten twice in Pretoria. Mosimane’s charges won 2-1 in the group phase in January, as well as 1-0 in their 2017 quarterfinal clash that was decided by penalties, after a 1-1 aggregate score over two legs.
The winner this time will set up a final with either Espérance of Tunisia or Congolese club TP Mazembe, who are battling it out in the other semifinal.
Before they host Wydad, Sundowns will travel to Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo for an Absa Premiership date with Black Leopards on Tuesday. The defending champions are three points adrift of leaders Orlando Pirates.
