South African ABSA Premiership club, the Mamelodi Sundowns, have moved a step closer to the quarterfinals of the 2017 CAF Champions League after securing an important victory away from home.
The Pretoria-based club found themselves in a difficult situation in Group C after playing a goalless draw away at Tunisian side, Esperance Tunis. From four games, Sundowns were seated third in the group with five points, hoping for positive results in their remaining two fixtures to stand a chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Their fight to secure a place in the quarterfinals began over the weekend with a trip away to Ethiopian side, St George. Sundowns’ opponent might have been considered the underdogs, but their performance in their first group match against the Sundowns that led to the goalless draw in South Africa made them a serious threat prior to the return leg.
As expected, the little-known Ethiopian side pulled out a difficult fight against the Champions League defending champions and nearly caused an upset.
After playing to a goalless draw in the first half where St. George missed the opportunity of taking a stoppage time lead after Burkina Faso forward Severin Waongo missed from the penalty spot, it all appeared like St. George was on the verge of securing another draw against their counterpart until the 80th minute when Liberia’s Anthony Snoti Laffor struck from a distance to give the Sundowns a crucial lead.
The Liberian attacker received Thapelo Morena’s pass from the right side of the pitch before striking into the net to break the deadlock. Laffor’s strike would go on to be the only goal in the match and the Sundowns won all three points away from home to move up to second in Group C with eight points from five games.
They must now avoid defeat or secure at lease a draw in their final group match at home against the Congolese AS Vita Cub.
Meanwhile, 2016-17 Morocco Botola Pro champions, Wydad Casablanca, has taken a major step in reaching the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League. Like the Sundowns, Wydad had themselves in a very tough position in Group D after winning two of their previous four matches played.
Their chances of reaching the quarterfinals heavily relied on their ability to earn the maximum points in their final two matches.
Wydad began their late fight to reach the quarterfinals with a trip to Cameroon against the group points donors, Conton Sports. The North African club arrived in Cameroon without their star striker, William Jebor, who’s currently in Liberia for the burial of his late mother.
With the Cameroonian side failing to obtain a single point from their previous matches, there were no doubts over Wydad getting a win away from home. As expected, they got themselves back in the race for a quarter-final spot after securing a 2-0 win. Goals from Moroccan attacker Achraf Bencharki and Belgium defender Naim Aarab in each half secured the win for the North African giants.
With Zambian club Zanaco and Egyptian giants Al Ahly playing to a goalless draw, Wydad moved up to second in Group D with nine points, two points behind first place Zanaco and a point over Al Ahly. They must win their last group match against Zanaco if they are to book a quarterfinal spot. Conton Sports.
Featured photo courtesy of Anthony Laffor
