Mamelodi Sundowns have booked their place in the CAF Champions League final, where they will face Egyptian side Pyramids FC in the first leg on May 24.
This qualification comes after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Al Ahly last Friday [April 25] at the Cairo International Stadium.
The Brazilians went into the second leg of the semi-finals with determination after a goalless draw in the first leg.
They almost took an early lead when Tashreeq Matthews latched onto a precise cross from Lucas Ribeiro, only for his effort to drift just wide of the goal.
Al Ahly responded with a strong push, earning a free kick that failed to trouble the visitors due to a congested penalty area that saw the ball fly over the bar.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, moving through the Sundowns defence with a sharp run down the right wing and firing a low shot to the near post that beat goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Despite trailing, Masandawana remained persistent, with Matthews coming close to scoring again after another slick setup by Ribeiro, only to be denied at the last moment.
Just before the break, Thapelo Morena threatened from the right flank, but his run was matched by the Al Ahly defence, who cleared the danger.
Bafana Ba Style went into half-time trailing 0-1 but with plenty of attacking intent to build on.
The second half saw the visitors emerge from the tunnel with renewed energy and push aggressively for an equaliser.
Ribeiro had two significant opportunities to score.
His first attempt was saved by the hosts’ goalkeeper, and the second, while under little pressure, flew just over the bar.
Themba Zwane’s introduction in the 65th minute nearly paid off immediately when Ribeiro played him in front of the goal.
However, Zwane’s first touch was heavy, allowing the goalkeeper to smother the ball before he could take a shot.
Defending in numbers, Al Ahly still posed a danger on the counterattack, but Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau held firm, breaking up plays and keeping the Egyptian giants at bay.
Teboho Mokoena was active in the midfield and tried his luck with a well-placed free kick that Arthur Sales nearly converted with a header, only for the defence to clear.
As time ticked down, Mokoena launched a powerful long-range effort that was punched away by the Al Ahly keeper.
The pressure eventually paid off after a defensive error from Al Ahly saw the ball roll into their net, handing Sundowns a vital equaliser before the end of regulation time.
With seven minutes added on, Sundowns managed the game with maturity, holding off any late surges from the hosts and securing a result that propelled them into the CAF Champions League final for only the third time in the club’s history.
Masandawana’s line-up for the match featured Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Adams, Morena, Ribeiro, and Matthews.
Substitutes included Onyango, Suarez, Lunga, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Zwane, Sales, Shalulile, and Rayners.
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