Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena rues missed chances against Al Ahly

But the Downs coach did admit the tie should have ended as a contested in Tshwane considering the missed chances the Brazilians failed to put away.

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Thapelo Maseko scored a stunning goal to hand Sundowns victory in what was overall a strong performance according to Mokwena.  

"I thought first to start the performance was very, very good. We played well. We were in control and we gave zero chances, first half, second half even. We created a lot of chances. It's just a pity we didn't take even some of the situations that we created," Mokwena said.

Ahly will now host Sundowns in Egypt on Tuesday night needing at least a two-goal lead to reach the final.

Mokwena would not take too much credit for the win on Sunday night, arguing the main contributor was his charges finishing the game with 11-men after defender Mothobi Mvala was sent off in the quarterfinals second leg against Petro de Luanda five days earlier.

"We take the 1-0 and now we have to go for the second half. I wish I could say I changed anything but today we were eleven, that was the biggest difference, that today we were eleven for most of the game and Tuesday we were ten and then that of course influences the game but yeah as I said, it's probably the biggest difference."