Sundowns Edge Stade Malien To Reach Champions League Semi-Finals
Mamelodi Sundowns survived by the skin of their teeth to reach the CAF Champions League semi-finals, despite losing 2-0 to Stade Malien, progressing 3-2 on aggregate at Stade du 26 Mars on Sunday.
To make matters worse, Sundowns were reduced to 10 men for the final 13 minutes plus added minutes after Aubrey Modiba was sent off by Tunisian referee Mahrez Melki for a reckless tackle.
Malien coach Mauril Njoya had warned before the match that the tie was far from over, despite Sundowns’ comfortable 3-0 first-leg advantage—and his team backed up those words with a spirited performance.
The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead inside the first minute through Taddeus Nkeng, who powered home a header after poor marking from Sundowns. Nkeng later thought he had doubled the lead, but his effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, much to Sundowns’ relief.
Sundowns looked unsettled in the early stages, with the scorching conditions in Bamako—temperatures reaching 39°C—also playing a role. The referee was forced to call two cooling breaks within the opening 30 minutes.
Stade Malien extended their lead five minutes before half-time when Haman Mandjan unleashed a powerful strike that went in off the crossbar, leaving the hosts just one goal away from completing a remarkable comeback.
Sundowns improved after the break and began to assert control. Iqraam Rayners thought he had pulled one back, but his effort was ruled out for offside. The visitors continued to press, searching for the crucial away goal.
Their task became even tougher in the 78th minute when Modiba was dismissed for a late challenge on Moussa Diallo, leaving Sundowns to see out the match with 10 men.
Coach Miguel Cardoso was forced to adjust his tactics to protect the aggregate lead, and his side ultimately held on to secure a place in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season.
Sundowns’ progression comes after a dramatic weekend in the competition, which saw heavyweights such as Al Ahly and Pyramids FC eliminated in the quarter-finals. They will face Esperance in the semis, who they beat last season at the same stage. It will be a third meeting in the semi-final for the third time in a row.
Having won the CAF Champions League once in 2016, Sundowns will now feel the path is open as they aim to add a second continental title.
