Mamelodi Sundowns scored a crucial away goal in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wydad Casablanca in the Caf Champions League semi-final first leg on Friday evening.
Sundowns came into the encounter against their familiar foes in a buoyant mood after thrashing Al Ahly 5-1 over their two-legged quarter-final in the Champions League, as well as showing good form in their push for the Absa Premiership title.
The hosts Wydad, who faced the Brazilians in the group stages, were equally positive as they continued to chase success both domestically and in the Champions League.
It was the home side who started on the front foot when Dennis Onyango was forced into a couple of early saves from set-piece situations.
Pitso Mosimane’s charges began to grow into the game, though, with Gaston Sirino and Lebohang Maboe coming close to opening the scoring with two chances in as many minutes. First, the Uruguayan had his snap shot well saved by Wydad goalkeeper Ahmed Tagnaouti, before Maboe struck the upright with his dipping shot from range.
Just when the visitors looked to be gaining moment, they were hit with a lightning counter-attack after losing the ball in midfield. The ball was played through to Saidi who calmly slotted past Onyango, 1-0 to Wydad after 26 minutes.
The Moroccan side continued to push forward after their opener, but Onyango was proving to be in inspired form for Downs in the Champions League yet again.
It seemed as if the game would drift to the break with Wydad in the lead, until Andile Ngcongca pounced on a rebound to fire Sundowns level with a diving header three minutes before the break.
1-1 at the break, with Mosimane probably the happier of the two coaches due to the crucial away goal.
Wydad came out firing in the second stanza and regained their lead one minute from the restart when Badie Aouk was in the right place to tap home a rebound after Onyango had failed to hold on to the shot.
The home side were in control of the game as Sundowns looked to remain solid and not take unnecessary risks.
Both sides were struggling to create any clear-cut chances until the 81st minute when Downs survived a scare when Themba Zwane’s attempted headed clearance hit the bar before a goal-mouth scramble was dealt with by Tebogo Langerman.
The home side then threw men forward looking to add to their lead ahead of the second leg, but Sundowns managed to keep their opponents at bay, and will now only need a 1-0-win next week at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to progress to the Caf Champions League final.
