Wydad Athletic Club head coach Sven Vandenbroeck has insisted that his side’s experience at this stage in the CAF Champions League was the main difference against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Belgian tactician was only appointed as Wydad head coach a week before the first leg, replacing Juan Carlos Garrido.
On Saturday, Vandenbroeck had reason to celebrate after his side came twice from behind to collect a 2-2 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium to advance to the final on away goals.
After the match, he insisted that experience made the difference to swing the tie in favour of his team.
“First half we wanted to save energy with a low block and come out surprise them in the beginning of the second half,” he told Julia Stuart on SuperSport TV.
“I think my players did very well and I think in the end it’s experience that makes the difference.
“Maybe Sundowns in the game over the two legs they were better than us, but our experience and especially mentality made the difference in the end.”
Vandenbroeck also revealed that his side trained under pressure in the last 10 minutes off the game, which paid off as the equaliser via an own goal by Mothobi Mvala came in the 83rd minute.
“They went ahead and we come back, its two sides. That’s the mental part of football,”
“We also trained on the last 10 minutes, if we had to score. So you could see what the boys were doing.
“I’m very happy we succeeded. Unlucky for the fans here, they came out in numbers. But I think these year, the three teams, Sundowns, Wydad and Al Ahly they made the Champions League [more interesting].”
Wydad will now face record champions Al Ahly in a replay of last season’s final – only this time it will be played over two legs.
