By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mamelodi Sundowns held their nerve under intense pressure in Bamako to secure a place in the CAF Champions League semi-finals, despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Stade Malien in the second leg on Sunday.
Sundowns advanced 3-2 on aggregate after their commanding first-leg victory, withstanding a fierce challenge from the Malian side in a dramatic encounter.
It marks a fourth consecutive semi-final appearance for Sundowns, underlining their growing consistency among Africa’s elite clubs, even as they were pushed to the limit away from home.
Taddeus Nkeng rose above the defence to head home from close range, with VAR confirming the goal after an initial offside flag, sending the home crowd into early celebration.
The goal unsettled Sundowns, who struggled to establish their usual rhythm in the opening stages, with the Malian side pressing aggressively and disrupting their build-up play.
Following a scramble in the penalty area, Haman Mandjan reacted quickest to a rebound, striking a powerful effort that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-0 on the night.
At that point, the tie was finely poised, with the aggregate scoreline narrowing and momentum firmly with the hosts.
The hosts launched wave after wave of attacks, testing goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with efforts from distance, but the Sundowns defence held firm under sustained pressure.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the South African side showed resilience and discipline, absorbing the late onslaught to see out the match.
Meanwhile Esperance Sportive de Tunis produced a stunning performance in Cairo to eliminate Al Ahly from the CAF Champions League, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory on the night and a 4-2 aggregate triumph to reach the semi-finals and defending champions Pyramids FC have been knocked out after a 2-1 home defeat to Morocco’s FAR Rabat, who sealed a 3-2 aggregate victory to reach the semi-final.
Elsewhere CR Belouizdad have booked their place in the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in three decades after a tense goalless draw against Egypt’s Al-Masry in Algiers and Zamalek booked their place in the semi-finals after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Congo’s Otoho, surviving a tough clash in Cairo to progress 3-2 on aggregate.