Last matches of the group stage of the CAF Champions League yesterday, Sunday January 19 and last ticket to be distributed for the quarter-finals. He returned to Mamelodi Sundowns, despite the victory of Raja Casablanca who no longer really had their destiny in their hands. AS FAR, for its part, finished at the top of group B.
The draw conceded to AS FAR on the 6th day of the group stage was enough for the South African club to snatch second place in group B with 9 points, behind its opponent of the day.
To grab the last ticket from Group B for the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns needed at least a draw against the leader, AS FAR, already qualified to definitively escape competition from Raja Casablanca. The Brazilians were content with this bare minimum, conceding a share of points with the Moroccans (1-1) in a melting Loftus Stadium.
Well served by Riveiro, Peter Shalulile opened the scoring in the 12th minute, cementing a great start to the game for the South Africans. A slight lead that they will keep until the break.
Determined to finish as leader in the standings, AS FAR returns from the break with new energy. Their pressure on the locals finally bore fruit in the 83rd minute, a moment chosen by Amine Zouhzouh, served by Youssef El Fahli to equalize and cool the Loftus Stadium which feared a tragic elimination.
Failing to regain the advantage, Sundowns managed to maintain this tie to protect themselves from Raja, winner at home against Maniema Union 1-0, thanks to a goal from Ennafatti from the penalty spot (45+5). A match that the Congolese team finished at 10 after the expulsion of Simete in the 41st minute.
Raja eliminated
In the other Group B match which was played at the same time, Raja won 1-0 against the Congolese Maniema Union, already eliminated before the sixth day.
-Ennafatti’s goal from the penalty spot at the end of the first period (45+5) secured the essentials for the Moroccan club but at the same time Sundowns had to bow down to let them continue the adventure. The South Africans who trembled against AS FAR after the equalizer (1-1) from Amine Zouhzouh towards the end of the game (83rd) still snatched this last ticket, completing the table of qualified for the quarter-finals.
CLUBS QUALIFIED FOR THE QUARTER-FINALS BY GROUP
Group A : 1- Al-Hilal Omduram 10pts 2- MC Alger 9pts
Group B : 1- AS FAR 10pts 2- Mamelodi Sundowns 9pts
Group C : 1- Orlando Pirates 14pts 2- Al Ahly 10pts
Group D : Espérance de Tunis 13pts 2- Pyramids FC 13pts
