Sunday | May 21, 2023

Pretoria – Wydad Casablanca eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (FC) in the Confederation of African Football Champions League (CCL) on away goal rule at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Hatfield, Pretoria Saturday afternoon.

This fixture produced a goalless draw in the first leg in Morocco. However, Wydad managed to pull a 2-2 draw against Sundowns yesterday to win the match by virtue of scoring away.

Themba Zwane led the scoring charts on the day with an opener in the 50th minute for the home side. With the stadium painted yellow to the rafters, Wydad equalized from a Ayoub El Amloud header in the 72nd minute. The chanting crescendo heaved and dropped to a near silence.

The Brazilians went two goals up after Peter Shalulile whipped the ball in the net just 11 minutes before the end of regulation time.

When it seemed they had secured victory, Mothobi Mvala headed the ball into his own net (83′) from a curling Wyday cross. Some Sundowns stars collapsed to their knees and others carried hands on top of their heads as an expression of shock. The scores were evened at two goals apiece.

On the one hand, Wydad players defended and whiled away time to maintain the triumph on the cards. On the other hand, the death knell sounded and the Mamelodi crowd was stunned by the visitors who were stealing the win far away from home.

The match officials ended the 4-goal match with both teams equal. 

Wyday progressed from the semi-final against the Pretorians and will meet Al Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt in the Champions League final.