Mamelodi Sundowns have sealed the semi-finals spot in the CAF Champions League after a nail-biting contest against Young Africans in the second leg of the crunch quarterfinals on Friday evening at Loftus Versfeld. The clash that produced a goalless draw in the 90 minutes went down to penalty shootouts where the home side won 3-2, all thanks to shot stopper, Ronwen Williams, who made important saves to help his side advance to the next round and be one step closer to the title.
The encounter’s first clear chance came from the visiting side as a shot went over the bar to just warm up the game. Downs were quick to respond through Lucas Ribeiro who drove the ball to the box with a prompt pace to find the back of the net but was fouled. The referee pointed to the free-kick spot which was taken by Marcelo Allende who lobbed it into the box to find someone who could get the job done but he couldn’t connect well as it got cleared.
Masandawana continued to look for an opener but struggled to get the ball past the goalkeeper. Before the half hour mark, another dangerous chance came from the hosts through Lucas Ribeiro who attacked the half volley just outside the box but the chance went wide.
It was a game of consequence as both teams evidently moved from one end to the other trying to find a goal, but it was just not coming. The first half was concluded with a strike shot from distance by Teboho Mokoena but it went wide. The two sides went to the break deadlocked with no goal.
With emotions running high from both sides, the second stanza kicked off with a booking for Yanga after a dangerous tackle was made on Ribeiro. Yanga looked to have returned into the second stanza with more aggression as they took the ball to the box but Divine Lunga made a beautiful clearance.
Four minutes before the hour mark Thembinkosi Lorch shot a cross to Peter Shalulile who connected well with the ball to shoot but his effort was claimed by the goalkeeper.
An opportunity to score came from Gaston Sirino on the 76th minute when he took a lethal shot but it was smacked away by the extremely alert goalkeeper. Downs were under threat just before the final whistle was blown as Yanga managed to drive the ball with the rearguard nowhere to be found, but the shot went wide to end the match at 0-0.
The game went straight to penalties where Allende, Ribeiro and Neo Maema made sure to take emphatic shots. Williams was also in the mix as he blocked three shots to have Coach Rulani’s charges advance to the semi-finals.
How we lined up: Williams, Kekana, Mudau, Lunga, Modiba, Mokoena, Lorch Allende, Zwane ©, Ribeiro, Shalulile.
Subs: D. Onyango, Sirino, Mendieta, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Morena, Maseko, Mvala, Maema.
