B. OdhiamboBrian Mandela unused as Mamelodi Sundowns book a slot in the African Football League finals
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 02.11.23. | 08:34
Wydad now stands between the South Africans and the $4 million prize for AFL's inaugural champions
Harambee Stars center-back Brian Mandela was an unused substitute as his club Mamelodi Sundowns held firm against Al Ahly in Cairo on Wednesday night to complete a 1-0 aggregate victory and advance to the African Football League final, where they will face Wydad Casablanca.
A goalless draw at the Cairo International Stadium sealed Sundowns’ progression after last week's first-leg win in South Africa.
The South African champions had beaten Angolan giants Petro Atletico de Luanda 2-0 in the first leg played in Luanda and held them to a barren draw in the return leg of the quarterfinals to storm the last four in a match that the Kenyan international also watched the action from the bench.
In a highly contested match, Sundowns relied on brilliant defending and some fortune to overcome an Al Ahly side desperate for continental glory after recent near misses to reach their first continental final since 2016
But the South Africans showed resilience to complete the job on a tense night and etch their name into AFL folklore.
Sundowns have taken a major step towards correcting their own barren spell on the continent by exhibiting consummate game management when it mattered most.
The first-leg victory proved pivotal as Rulani Mokwena's coached side restricted Al Ahly before hitting the hosts on the counter through Thapelo Maseko last Sunday.
That precious away goal ultimately made the difference over the two legs as Sundowns clung on for a famous aggregate victory.
Now only Wydad, who survived Esperance's second leg onslaught to march in the last two of the inaugural tournament finals, stands between the South Africans and the $4 million prize for AFL's inaugural champions.
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