Mamelodi Sundowns bowed out of the CAF Champions League after being held to a 2-2 draw by Wydad Casablanca at Loftus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns had played a goalless draw in the first leg away in Casablanca, Morocco. The Moroccan giants’ two goals away from home were enough to send them through to the final.
The defending African champions, Wydad, will now face Percy Tau’s Al Ahly of Egypt, who beat Tunisia’s Esperance 4-0 on aggregate.
HOW SUNDOWNS BOW OUT OF CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The first half was a bit of an even half, although Wydad, on occasions, sat back. The visitors’ first real chance came in the 18th minute, but Abdelmonain Boutouil’s late recovery stopped Wydad in their tracks.
Three minutes later, Wydad goalkeeper Youssef El Mo did well to stop Peter Shalulile’s low shot after an Aubrey Modiba cross.
A minute later, Shalulile was sent through by Thapelo Morena, but with the goalkeeper to beat the Namibian failed to connect.
In the 37th minute, Teboho Mokoena skied his free-kick from just outside the 18-yard box. In the second half, Sundowns came back more energetic and finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.
Talisman and captain Themba Zwane’s pile drive from outside the box gave them the lead.
At the hour-mark, the Moroccan giants were yet to create a real chance in the second half.
Shalulile had his shot saved in the 61st minute as Sundowns sought the cushion of a second goal.
They continued to dominate possession as the visitors were a bit conservative.
MOTHOBI MVALA OWN GOAL
Sundowns fans had a scare in the 65th minute when a Wydad forward broke free, but Ronwen Williams was on hand to stop him.
Williams also stopped Zouheir El Moutaraji with his left foot to keep the score 1-0. But he could do nothing to stop Ayoub El Amloud in the 72nd minute.
Shalulile restored the lead in the 78th minute when he connected a Thapelo Morena low cross.
Wydad drew level again in the 82nd-minute courtesy of a Mothobi Mvala own goal off a free-kick. Thereafter, they shut the door at the back and held on.
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