- KCCA 1-1 Sundowns (Sundowns win 3-2 on aggregate)
Experience took the day on Saturday as African champions Mamelodi Sundowns rallied to hold KCCA and progress to the group stages of the continent’s premier club football competition 3-2 on aggregate.The Ugandan champions now drop to the Confederation Cup where they await their next opponents after draws are held.
Geoffrey Sserunkuma’s first half goal, his fourth in as many Champions League matches, had looked to give KCCA the historic victory until the late intervention of Sundowns second half substitute Laffor.
For the first 45 minutes KCCA dictated proceedings, Brian Majwega patrolling the left flank almost at ease.
It is his pinpoint cross from the left that gave the hosts a breakthrough, 33-year-old Sserunkuma equally timing his run to bundle home on 31 minutes.
KCCA manager Mike Mutebi then made two curious substitutions one minute into the second half, withdrawing Paul Mucureezi and Allan Okello for Salmon Akinyemi and Paul Musamali, which tilted the team balance.
Sundowns controlled proceedings from then on, their reward coming nine minutes from time when Laffor received a half-cleared ball inside the area, took one touch and buried it in the roof past a hapless Benjamin Ochan.
One-all it ended and 3-2 on aggregate thanks to Sundowns first leg 2-1 victory.
“As I said earlier KCCA is a good side. But when you decide to play the long ball you are making it easy for us,” said Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane.
We kept the belief and I felt we would get that one chance. We got it and scored.
His counterpart Mutebi was overall impressed by their run in the competition and is now looking forward.
“We must now reach the group stages of the Confederation Cup,” said Mutebi.
We must continue playing on the continent. It is the only way we will learn.
KCCA now drops to the CAF Confederation Cup where they will play a two legged tie against a yet to be named opponent with a chance to stay in the continental competitions.