Mamelodi Sundowns Survive Stade Malien Scare, Reach Champions League Semifinals
Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the CAF Champions League semifinals, overcoming a resilient Stade Malien side despite a 2-0 loss in Bamako on Sunday. The South African champions progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory, marking their fourth consecutive appearance in the competition’s final four under coach Miguel Cardoso.1
A Tense Second Leg in Mali
Sundowns entered the second leg with a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Pretoria. Although, Stade Malien proved to be a formidable opponent on home soil, pushing Sundowns to their limits. The Malian side secured a 2-0 victory on the night, thanks to goals from Taddeus Nkeng and Haman Mandjan, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the first-leg deficit.1
The match saw an early goal from Nkeng and despite a disallowed goal for Malien initially, Mandjan eventually found the net. Sundowns faced further adversity when Aubrey Modiba received a red card with 15 minutes remaining, forcing them to defend with ten men.4
A Grueling Path to the Semifinals
Sundowns’ journey to the semifinals wasn’t without its challenges. They previously faced a precarious situation in the group stage, needing a win against MC Alger to secure qualification. A 2-0 victory at Loftus Versfeld ensured their progression as runners-up behind Al Hilal.1 Stade Malien had topped their group, finishing ahead of Esperance, Petro Atletico, and Simba SC.
Domestic Pressure and Continental Ambition
Adding to the pressure, Orlando Pirates had earlier surged ahead of Sundowns in the Betway Premiership with a 6-0 win over TS Galaxy, a result that may have galvanized Sundowns as they stepped onto the field in Mali.1
Semi-Final Clash with Espérance Sportive de Tunis
Mamelodi Sundowns will now face Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the semi-finals. Cardoso is familiar with this stage, having previously reached the final with the Tunisian giants and led Sundowns to the semi-finals last season.1
Looking Ahead
Following the international break, Sundowns will resume their league campaign with an away match against Durban City FC on April 7th. However, for now, their focus remains on their continental ambitions, with the dream of securing a second CAF Champions League title still alive.1