Late Billiat strike gives Downs a chance

at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Zambia MAMELODI Sundowns came back from the ropes to have a fighting chance in this Caf Champions League semifinal tie, thanks to Khama Billiat’s late strike against Zesco United in yesterday’s first leg in Ndola.

Zesco striker Jackson Mwanza stunned Sundowns, striking twice in the 54th and 56th minutes.

Yesterday’s first leg suggested for a while that the caginess of a semifinal, especially one played over two legs, might suit coach Pitso Mosimane’s more balanced, tactically cleverer Sundowns, than attack-orientated, defensively suspect Zesco.

In the second half, though, a Sundowns side that in the first half had contained Zesco fell apart in the face of the Ndola club’s pacey attack, and Mwanza’s strikes.

But the Champions League is about guts and the ability to fight back.

Billiat’s crucial away goal has left the advantage perhaps even to the Brazilians in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

That Sundowns have reached this far having lost eight registered Caf players either to transfer or injury — leaving them with 17 outfield players — speaks volume of their class.

Zesco coach George Lwandamina is also in a similar position.

Former Jomo Cosmos defender Ayo Oluwafemi was at leftback in a back four that had been frail, conceding nine goals in the group stage.

The attack that had scored 24 goals in 12 matches, and 10 in the group phase had four-goal winger Clatous Chama suspended. Kenyan Jesse Were and Mwanza, with five goals between them, were upfront.

Zesco knelt in a huddle in prayer before kick-off. They came out with their much-vaunted attack picking holes almost at will, causing problems down Sundowns’ left side.

Were was through on Denis Onyango in the ninth minute, the Downs goalkeeper excellently using his feet to dispossess the striker.

It was a resounding return from the change rooms for Zesco. Eight minutes in, leftback Simon Silwimba made ground down the flank and crossed as Mwanza rose to direct a perfect header past Onyango.

Two minutes later, Mwanza hit a speculative drive through the legs of the Sundowns defenders, as Onyango remained rooted and the shot snuck in at the left upright.

With Sundowns down and out, Dolly broke from his own half and fed substitute Anthony Laffor down the right. His cross fell at the feet of Billiat, who finished off the left post. DEADLY: Khama Billiat scored the crucial away goal