Mamelodi Sundowns sealed a place in the CAF Champions League final in dramatic fashion when they scored a late equaliser to eliminate holders Al Ahly on the away goals rule
Al Ahly looked set for a third straight final heading into the 90th minute after Taher Mohamed scored in the 24th minute but Iqraam Rayners forced an own goal in the 90th minute as the PSL giants stunned a rocking and full Cairo International Stadium into silence.
Seven added on minutes went by and with no goal from Al Ahly, Sundowns went through on the away goals rule, following a 1-1 result on aggregate, after both sides had played out a goalless draw in the first leg.
Sundowns progressed to the final for the first time since 2016, when they won it, having suffered semi-final elimination in the last two seasons.
Miguel Cardoso’s team knew they needed at least a scoring draw in the second leg match at a full and intimidating Cairo International Stadium but went behind in the 24th minute through a stunning goal from Mohamed.
VAR denies Sundowns a penalty
With space afforded to him, Mohamed slammed a first-time shot past Ronwen Williams after Mosa Lebusa failed to close him in at the near post.
That came after Sundowns had wasted their opportunity in a game that had few chances when Brazilian Lucas Ribeiro found Tashreeq Matthews at the back post but he fired just wide.
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Al Ahly but after 63 minutes, Sundowns thought they would be awarded a penalty when Ribeiro went down in the box.
A lengthy VAR check saw the referee wave away the penalty shouts to the disappointment of Sundowns and delight of the Al Ahly fans.
Themba Zwane would be introduced shortly after for Jayden Adams and he nearly scored in the 70th minute after being played through by Ribeiro but a heavy touch denied him.
How did PSL champions win it?
Arthur Sales then had a glancing header from a Teboho Mokoena freekick but the Al Ahly defence cleared the danger and the home side looked to be heading to the final.
However, in the 89th minute, a confusion in the Al Ahly box saw Rayners take a shot which went off Yaser Ibrahim’s foot for 1-1, swinging the game in Sundowns’ favour.
The PSL giants can now look forward to a final between either local rivals Orlando Pirates or Egyptian side Pyramids with Cardoso hoping to win it after reaching the final with Esperance of Tunisia last season and losing to Al Ahly.
It is the third Champions League final for Sundowns who were there in 2001 and 2016 when they won their only title.
