Two men down Sundowns take on Wydad for a draw

Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 0-0 away draw against Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semifinal, played at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday night.

On paper, the result is a solid one for the Brazilians, but it is made even better in the context of playing more than half of the match with a numerical disadvantage following a straight red card for midfielder Neo Maema, as well as a late dismissal for substitute Marcelo Allende which brought them down to nine men.

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The Red Castle will be frustrated at failing to capitalise on an opportunity to take full control of the tie, but they will take solace in the fact that any score draw in the return game will favour them on away goals.

The final whistle at the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL 1st-leg semis!#WACMSFC pic.twitter.com/3NCj9ilBiH

— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) May 13, 2023

Wydad applied early pressure, but Sundowns showed their threat by finding the net from their first genuine attack, as Peter Shalulile squeezed a shot through goalkeeper Youssef El Motie’s legs in the 10th minute. However, the effort was narrowly ruled out for offside by VAR.

The VAR had another major effect on the game late in the first half when Sundowns, who had been the better team and dominated possession, were reduced to 10 men.

Neo Maema was correctly shown a straight red card by referee Daniel Nii Laryea (after seeing video replays on the sidelines) for a challenge in which he thrust his studs into the midriff of Amine Aboulfath.

Wydad almost capitalised on their numerical dominance before the interval, with a free kick from Yahia Attiyat Allah flicked toward goal by Mohammed Ounajem, but ‘Downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made an excellent save to keep the score at 0-0.

The start of the second half saw the Red Castle introduce an extra attacker in the shape of Zouheir El Moutaraji, and their first clear chance arrived on 54 minutes when Bouly Sambou volleyed over from a tight angle.

On 65 minutes El Moutaraji took advantage of a mistake from Mothobi Mvala to sprint in on goal down the left of the penalty area, but Williams made a fine save with his leg to deny the substitute.

Sundowns succeeded in stifling any further Wydad attempts to build momentum, with the only genuine chance for the team in white and red arriving in the 87th minute when Hamid Ahadad got on the end of a fine cross from the right and glanced a header wide of the far post.

Sundowns were further reduced in numbers in injury time when Marcelo Allende was red-carded (again after a VAR check) for a studs-up challenge, but they nonetheless remained composed in defence and secured a draw.

The teams will meet for the return game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday 20 May, with the aggregate winners advancing to the final to face either Al Ahly or Esperance de Tunis.

Masandawana show great effort and team spirit under tricky conditions in Casablanca! Time to head back home and gear up for the next one! 👆

Wydad AC 0⃣➖0⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns#Sundowns #DownsLive #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/XEvzWNGITY

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 13, 2023

Wydad Casablanca 0

Mamelodi Sundowns 0

Wydad: El Motie, El Amloud (Benayada 73’), Aboulfath, Zola, Attiyat Allah, Bouhrati (El Moutaraji 46’), Jaadi (Haimoud 82’), Jabrane, Ounajem, El Hassouni (Ellafi 73’), Sambou (Ahadad 68’)

Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Boutouil, Mvala, Modiba, Morena (Zungu 90+7’), Mbule, Mokoena, Maema, Zwane (Allende 78’), Shalulile (Kekana 90+6’)