Mamelodi Sundowns forward Khama Billiat says his side have the character to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-1 reverse to Zesco United in their CAF Champions League semi-final first leg match.
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After two roller coaster semi-finals, Mamelodi Sundowns and Zamalek progressed to the CAF Champions League final. Sundowns will host the first leg of the final in Pretoria on October 15 with the return match in Egypt a week later.
With the first leg ending with a scoreless draw away at Chippa United, Sundowns advanced to the final with a 1-0 aggregate.
Five-time title-holders Zamalek have a 4-0 lead over one-time winners Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and no club has overcome such a large first-leg deficit in the penultimate phase.
That will be easier said than done against a quality Zesco side, although Billiat says his team has the personality and character to do it.
Ohawuchi, who made his first start after joining from Wadi Degla, gathered a long ball on the right and outpaced his challenger before sending in a cross that found the prolific Morsi, who chested the ball home. “I hope many teams go there and support Sundowns, but not only them because it’s not all about Sundowns but the entire South Africa”, Feutmba told Goal. The goals have been spread throughout the team, with Jesse Were one of three players on four goals.
“This is a huge opportunity for us to showcase to the world what we have in South Africa”.
Though one goal will be enough for the PSL champions, Dolly said they will be relentless in their pursuit for goals to advance to the final. We needed to created more chances, at least to score two goals.
Sundowns, who beat Zamalek both home and away in the group phase, continued their fairytale run to the final after having lost in the preliminary rounds. A wonderful exhibition for the Champions League, which is all too often a succession of drab encounters.
Mark Gleeson covers African football for ESPN FC.
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The good money, though, still remained on the Zimbabwean running into a cul-de-sac down that channel, given the number of ES Setif defenders, but Billiat’s brilliance eliminated another defender and, another twist of his little frame, fooled the third defender, with the Warriors’ forward never breaking his stride. “What happened today is history, we’ll see what happens on Saturday and then we’ll think about the Champions League final”.
