Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a maiden Caf Champions League title despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Zamalek at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria on Sunday evening.
The Brazilians crowned 2016 African champions, winning 3-1 on aggregate over two-legs. The Tshwane side become only the second South African team to win the continents most coveted crown, following in the footsteps of Orlando Pirates who won the same title in 1995.
Stanley Ohawuchi scored the only goal of the game on the Egyptian coast.
Trailing 3-0 after the first-leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Zamalek head coach Moamen Soliman made no fewer than four changes with the talented Shikabala named among the substitutes.
As for Sundowns, Pitso Mosimane made a single forced change with Bangaly Soumahoro included in the starting XI, with Wayne Arendse suspended for the clash.
As expected, the White Knights controlled the early exchanges and should have hit the front in the 12th minute. Ohawuchi burst into the area, but with only the goalkeeper to beat the Nigerian could only succeed in directing his shot inches wide of goal – Denis Onyango doing just about enough.
The Brazilians invited a lot of pressure and suffered a massive blow just short of the half-hour mark with Onyango forced off the field on a stretcher. Wayne Sandilands replacing the Uganda international.
Ohawuchi was Zamalek’s main protagonist with the wide man going close on two occasions in quick succession – first Soumahoro did well to clear at his feet before the former Nigeria youth international saw his header wide from the resulting corner-kick in the 32nd minute.
Sundowns first chance of the match fell to Percy Tau seven minutes later. The visitors were always going to be dangerous on the counter-attack and after good work by Khama Billiat, Tau controlled before seeing his volley attempt saved by Gennesh in the Zamalek goal.
Billiat then went even closer in the 42nd minute after Ahmed Tawfik was denied by Sandilands. The Zimbabwe international seeing his deflected effort canon off the top of the crossbar.
Sundowns found their rhythm in the closing stages of the half with Anthony Laffor forcing Gennesh into another save – the White Knights goal-minder up to the task once more.
Despite a catalogue of attempts, the two side’s entered the tunnel deadlocked at the break, with Sundowns holding firm despite eight minutes of added time at the end of the opening stanza.
Zamalek finally found the opener in the 64th minute with Ohawuchi steering his powerful shot from range past Sandilands – the South African goalkeeper got to the ball, but was unable to keep out the stinging effort.
Sundowns parked the proverbial bus despite Pitso Mosimane urging his players to be more expansive with Hlompho Kekana registering their only noteworthy attempt on target in the 76th minute.
The White Knights continued to pile on the pressure and went within inches of doubling their lead. Former Southampton man Emmanuel Mayuka’s header attempt cleared off the line by Soumahoro in the 86th minute. The burly Ivorian with the outstanding moment of the match as the Brazilians held on to clinch glory.
Sundowns will as a result partake in the 2016 Fifa Club World Cup to be staged in Japan later this year.
Zamalek (0) 1 (Ohawuchi 64′)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0
Zamaelek: Gennesh; Khaled (Shikabala 76′), Dweidar, Gabr, Youssef – Hamed (Salah 85′), Tawfik – Ohawuchi, Hefny (Mayuka 85′), Fathi – Morsy
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango (Sandilands 28′); Langerman, Nthethe, Soumahoro, Mbekile – Kekana, Mabunda – Dolly, Tau, Laffor (Modise 72′) – Billiat (S.Zwane
