Mamelodi Sundowns Win First Ever CAF Champions League

South African giant, Mamelodi Sundowns won the 2016 CAF Champions League on Sunday after a 3-1 aggregate win over Zamalek SC of Egypt at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

The Brazilians, as they are known, were beaten 1-0 by the Egyptians, but won their first CAF Champions League on aggregate after a convincing first-leg victory in Pretoria last weekend.

Zamalek needed to score at least three or more goals, to claim the title, but the task proved too much for them.

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The home side were nearly rewarded early on, when Nigerian striker Stanley Ohawuchi suddenly found himself with only goalkeeper Denis Onyango to beat after getting past Thabo Nthethe and Ivorian defender Soumahoro Bangaly, but instead put the ball wide.

However, Ohawuchi boosted Zamalek’s confidence in the 64th minute after powering a shot past Onyango to give the 60,000 home supporters something to cheer about, however the goal was not enough to give the Egyptian side a sixth African title.

Sundowns’ victory made them $1.5 million richer and secured a place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan during December, becoming the first South African club to play at the tournament.

The triumph was even more remarkable after the South Africans were eliminated in the final qualifying round in April only to be reinstated when their Democratic Republic of Congo opponents were disqualified.

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“It was an amazing journey of ups and downs and now we are the champions of Africa,” said Sundowns’ Zimbabwe striker Khama Billiat.

“We look forward to Japan and facing the best clubs in the game. It is going to be an absolute pleasure.”

Sundowns are expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday, October 26.

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