Sundowns set for CAF Champions League semi
The PSL champions beat Egyptian side Zamalek in Cairo on Sunday.
JOHANNESBURG - PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns upset Zamalek 2-1 in Egypt on Sunday, to all but clinch a CAF Champions League semi-final place three months after being initially eliminated from the competition.
Midfielder Tiyani Mabunda put Masandwana ahead after 18 minutes in Cairo, by taking advantage of a rebound off the post and thumping the ball past the Zamalek 'keeper.
Mohamed Ibrahim pounced on a defensive error to level matters after 37 minutes as indecision between goalkeeper Denis Onyango and centre-back Thato Nthethe cost the Brazilians.
PSL Player of the Year, Khama Billiat, continued his stunning form, striking the winner in the 67th-minute. The Zimbabwean scored with a low shot into the corner after Sundowns again took advantage of a rebound when forward Leonardo Castro hit the post.
Masandwana require just a solitary point from the return match against Zamalek this month or they will need a point from Nigerian side Enyimba in August.
Sundowns were eliminated on away goals after drawing 2-2 on aggregate with AS Vita in the final qualifying round for the group phase in April.
However, the Congolese outfit were disqualified for fielding a banned player, Malian Idrissa Traore, and Sundowns received a reprieve.
Sundowns have six points, Zamalek three and Enyimba are pointless after also losing at home to the Egyptian club. The top two finishers advance to the semi-finals.
