Mamelodi Sundowns were dumped out of the CAF Champions League on the away goal rule after a 2-2 draw against reigning champions Wydad Athletic Club in their second leg semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.
Three hours before kickoff, the atmosphere was electric and set for a memorable day in CAF Champions League with the scores evenly poised from the first leg in Casablanca.
Sundowns, as expected, had the bulk of the possession and the chances but the visitors and reigning champions Wydad were rock solid and compact in defence as their head coach Sven Vandenbroeck suggested would be the case in the pre-match press conference.
And they had the home supporters nervous in the opening half as Peter Shalulile saw two chances brilliantly saved by Youssef El Motie at point-blank range.
With the knowledge that the game will go straight to penalties if they game remained goalless at full-time, it was clear Sundowns came out with renewed energy after the break.
And their inspirational leader Themba Zwane came to the fore, opening the scoring with a brilliant effort from just outside the area five minutes in to send the home supporters into ecstasy and notably the bench alongside head coach Rulani Mokwena.
Wydad attempted to get themselves back into the game but it allowed Masandawana ample space to exploit on the counter, with Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile terrorising their back four with their blistering pace.
WAC skipper Yahya Jabrane, who rarely looks flustered, was under severe pressure in his holding midfield role as waves of attacks came from the midfield four of Sundowns, Sipho Mbule, Sphelele Mkhulise, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane.
After the hour mark it appeared a case of how many goals would be score from the home side as the carved the North Africans open almost at will… but the Yellow Nation were stunned into silence twenty minutes later as Wydad found an equaliser against the run of play.
Full-back Ayoub El Amloud rose highest ahead of Aubrey Modiba to smash a header beyond Ronwen Williams to stun the Loftus into complete silence but it wasn’t to be the last action of the game as a roller coaster of emotions were promised for the final stages of the game.
Modiba picked himself up from the disappointment and provided the assist for Shalulile to make it 2-1 with ten minutes to go but moments later, Mothobi Mvala headed the ball into his own net to make it 2-2 and hand the advantage back to the champions.
In a fixture of high drama, it marked the last goal of the encounter as the Botola Pro giants booked their place in the final against Egyptian giants Al Ahly, while Masandawana’s hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2016, has to wait another season.
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