Mamelodi Sundowns survive scare to progress

Reigning African champions Mamelodi Sundowns progressed to the Caf Champions League group stages after edging Ugandan side KCCA 3-2 on aggregate at the Phillip Omondi Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.

Liberian forward Anthony Laffor scored a screamer in the 80th minute to cancel out Geoffrey Sserunkuma’s goal in the first half, sending Pitso Mosimane’s side to the next level as they seek to defend their title.

Sserunkuma had opened the scoring at the half hour mark when he got to the end of a Brian Majwega cross from the left flank past goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands to give the home side a deserved lead.

Majwega forced a great save from Sandilands in the 13th minute as Sundowns sought to settle after the substitution of Yannick Zakri who was stretchered off with an injury and replaced by Ivorian defender Soumahoro Bangaly four minutes earlier.

Sundowns captain Kekana Hlompho attempted a long-range effort from the center in an attempt to replicate his goal against Cameroon last year in the Afcon 2017 qualifiers in March, but Ochan punched it over the bar.

The lead gave the home side confidence going forward with 17-year-old Allan Okello orchestrating KCCA’s attack in midfield with the support of the fast-paced Paul Mucureezi.

However, two changes at the beginning of the second half with the introduction of Paul Musamali and Nigerian Sulaiman Akinyemi Oladimeji for Mucureezi and Okello respectively halted KCCA’s attack as Majwega was forced to the right flank rather than the left where he was lethal.

Mosimane brought in Laffor for Anele Ngcongca and the former got off to a lightening start, combining with Percy Tau and Hlompho to trouble the KCCA defence.

Laffor made a run in from the right flank before passing to Tau who cut into the box past Joseph Ochaya, but his attempt was picked up easily by Ochan.

The same move was replicated two minutes later but central defender Habib Kavuma blocked Morena Thapelo’s powerful shot.

The pressure eventually paid off when Laffor scored with 10 minutes left to play in regular time and the visitors held on to force a 1-1 draw that helped them progress to the group stages.

KCCA will now head into the Caf Confederation Cup where they will hope to make it further in the continental competition.