Mamelodi Sundowns: Balancing flair and resilience in the CAF Champions League final

Mamelodi Sundowns have some of the best technically gifted players in the country.

Their relentless march to an eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title was again evidence of that, as they swept the floor with most teams, losing only three league matches this past campaign.

But in the CAF Champions League they showed a different side, which has been a feature of their performances, especially in the knockout stages. Sundowns have shown a dogged determination to be able to scrap when they needed to.

In Africa, it hasn’t been their sparkling football that has seen them get the results and make their way to the final, but tactical discipline and an appetite to suffer to get the job done. 

Their two away matches against Esperance in the quarter-final and Al Ahly in the semis were nailbiting affairs, with the team having to keep cool in pressure-cooker environments.

In Tunisia, they protected a 1-0 lead in the second leg after beating Esperance at home in the first leg thanks to a Peter Shalulile strike. In the semis in Egypt, they rallied back from a goal down in the 24th minute to get the winning equaliser in the 90th minute.

Their ability to stay composed under pressure, capitalise on late opportunities, and navigate hostile crowds in Tunis and Cairo highlight their mental fortitude.

However, heading into Sunday’s second leg of their CAF Champions League final against Pyramids in Egypt, they are going to need both their attacking flair and their dogged defensive ability to get the job done and win a second star.

It’s been nine years since Pitso Mosimane’s Sundowns lifted the biggest prize in African club football. Since then, there have been a lot of near misses and heartbreak.

There is a strong possibility that the heartbreak could go into a 10th year after Pyramids scored a late, but crucial away goal at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday to go into the second leg with a slight advantage after the 1-1 draw between the two teams.

Come what may, Sundowns will have to score at least one goal. They won’t be able to just sit back and let the Egyptians come at them, they will have to throw their fair share of punches. But it’s something that they are capable of.

Coach Miguel Cardoso needs to find that perfect mix of attacking intent, while also keeping their shape defensively. They can’t afford to go to sleep like they did in the first leg when Pyramids scored late on to seize the upper hand in the tie.

Sundowns need the best of both to get the job done. f not, Pyramids will add more riches to Egypt’s football treasure chests..

@JohnGoliath82