Mamelodi Sundowns will face Zesco United in the semifinals of the 2016 Caf Champions League, this after the Zambians were held to a 1-1 draw by Wydad Casablanca at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Wednesday.
With both Wydad and Zesco having already booked their place in the semifinals, the final Group A clash would simply determine who advanced as group winners.
In the end, the Moroccans did enough and will face North Africans rivals Zamalek for a place in the final.
Following a rather cagey start to the game; the Zambian hosts took control and after Jesse Were missed a guilt-edged chance his Kenyan teammate, David Owino Odhiambo, opened the scoring.
The burly defender nodding home from a corner-kick on 17 minutes – the hosts 1-0 up at the break.
Team Ya Ziko were made to rue several missed chances in the first stanza as Rouges et Blancs emerged a different side from the tunnel after the break.
Nigeria forward Chisom Chikatara with the equalizer following a sustained spell of pressure by the visitors. With Zesco giving him time and space on the ball, the former Abia Warriors forward unleashed a shot from range – Jacob Banda well beaten as the ball cannoned off the inside of the post and into the back o the net.
Wydad had a chance to steal all three points in the first minute of stoppage-time, but Fabrice N’Guessi somehow failed to hit the target from close range with his headed effort.
The semifinals will take place next month with Zamalek and Zesco hosting the first-leg.
