Mamelodi Sundowns made to work for CAF Champions League semi-final place

After cruising to a 3-0 win at home in the first leg, it was the Malian side who dominated the second leg for a 2-0 victory.

Taddeus Nkeng opened the scoring inside the first minute and Haman Mandjan added a second in the final minutes of the first half, as Sundowns played the final 13 minutes with ten men after Aubrey Modiba saw red for a reckless tackle. 

It was a much-changed team from the Sundowns side that beat Marumo Gallants 3-1 in the Betway Premiership in midweek with only four survivors from that clash - and they can count themselves lucky to progress to the last four - where they will face  Esperance de Tunis.

Before Sundowns could even find their feet in this tie, the home team made the perfect start with a goal inside the opening minute with a header from an unmarked Taddeus Nkeng. There was a lengthy VAR review but the goal was ultimately given with the goalscorer played onside.

Nkeng then fired in a great shot at Ronwen Williams in the Sundowns goal that floated just over the crossbar.

Stade Malien were in again just moments later but Nkeng couldn't sort out his feet, and the ball was cleared off the goal line.

Teboho Moekoena had a shot blocked as Sundowns created their first real chance after ten minutes, before two half chances for Nuno Santos on the edge of the area that failed to find the target.

Astonishingly Sundowns then found themselves two-nil after just 16 minutes but this time the goal was disallowed for a clear offside against Nkeng.

Sundowns were somewhat improved after conceding but without creating much in the way of a clear goal-scoring opportunity as they were forced to soak up some sustained pressure from their hosts.

And with the half winding down, Sundowns conceded again as a swift attack was finished with a thunderous shot from Mandjan after the ball rebounded back to him off the crossbar.

The only half time change for Sundowns saw Khulumani Ndamane withdrawn for Keanu Cupido, while there must have been some stern words in the dressing room at the break as they came out on the offensive.

Santos found himself well place to fire in on goal after 50 minutes, but saw his effort deflected wide of the goal.

Iqraam Rayners then slotted the ball over the line after he was fed in behind the Malien defence, but he was called up for offsides.

In a bid to freshen up his attack, Downs boss Miguel Cardoso introduced Tashreeq Matthews and Brayan Leon for Rayners and Arthur Sales.

There was little to shout about in the scorching conditions of Bamako as the game wore on, with Sundowns able to take the heat out of the game and take control of the ball.

But there was a moment of madness from Modiba with 77 minutes on the clock with a rash challenge that saw the referee immediately brandish his red card.

Divine Lunga came on for Santos to sure up the Sundowns defence for the remaining minutes and keep out a third goal that would have taken the tie to extra-time.

Koulibaly really should have done better when free inside the box as the ball dropped to him from an 80th minute corner, but he failed to keep his shot down.

There was a real moment of concern for Williams with seven minutes of the match remaining with a powerful drive from outside the area from Mandjan that flew just past the left upright.

It was all out defence for the Brazilians in the dying minutes, and despite making it hard for themselves, were able to hold on the aggregate win and progress to the last four of the continental competition.

Semi-finals

Mamelodi Sundowns v Esperance de TunisPyramids FC v FAR Rabat

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