3 DEFINING MOMENTS
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS might have returned to the CAF Champions League group stage via the backdoor, when CAF kicked out AS Vita for fielding a suspended player, but they’ve made the most of their second chance. NJABULO NGIDI looks at the moments that defined their march to the final.
GHANATRIP
It’s ironic how a match that technically doesn’t exist helped the Brazilians so much. Sundowns’ African dream got deferred to the Confederation Cup when they lost to AS Vita in the second round. They went on to lose to Ghana’s Medeama in the play-offs too. Sundowns had their mental strength tested in Ghana where they had to force their way into the stadium to train. They were only given keys to their change room on match day. During the game they had a Medeama official sitting next to their bench while the ball boys took their time. Sundowns reacted angrily, falling into the Ghanaian’s trap. But after this match, no matter what was thrown to them, they never lost their cool.
WINOVER ESSETIF
This result was annulled due to the home fans throwing missiles onto the pitch. CAF slapped Setif with a fine and kicked them out of the tournament, leaving Group B with three teams. Sundowns weren’t intimidated by the Algerians, on and off the field, dominating Setif in their own backyard. When the fans started being violent, they reacted with calmness and allowed the referee to handle matters. Even though the result was annulled, that performance showed Sundowns can hold their own against the big boys in a group that had clubs who had won the tournament a combined nine times.
ZAMALEK DOUBLE
The five-time African champions had plenty of motivation to do well after Al-Ahly won the league, leaving Zamalek with the Champions League to redeem themselves. But Sundowns went to Cairo and removed the aura of invincibility Egyptian teams had over South African club. Sundowns were not intimidated by the stage, the crowd or even the opponents as they became the first South African club to do a double over Zamalek. Now Sundowns have to battle with them all over again in the final where Zamalek are a different beast. In the six finals they’ve been involved, the Egyptians have lost only once.