Teko modise fight for ball against Zamalek’s Ahmed Hassan . IMAGE : GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG – IF history is anything to go by, Mamelodi Sundows will be crowned Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League winners in Egypt this coming weekend.
However it will be folly for the side to pop the champagne as yet.
The South African champions will carry a healthy lead to the Borg Al Arab Stadium in Alexandria for the return match against Egyptian powerhouse Zamalek.
While the 86 000-seater facility is one of the most intimidating venues to visit, history is on the side of the South Africans.
However, history has it comebacks are possible at this stage of the competition.
Only one club in the competition’s history, Mouloudia Alger of Algeria in 1976, have overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit in a final.
The Algerians looked dead and buried after Guinean side Hafia raced to a 3-0 first leg win at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry.
They would turn the tables on their opponents a week later a week later back in Algiers.
A 80 000-strong crowd at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in African club competition as Alger secured two late goals to match the 3-0 scoreline suffered in Guinea.
The Algerians would eventually win the tie 4-1 on penalties to break Guinean hearts and become the first side from the country to win the biggest cup tournament in the continent.
Sundowns carry a seemingly healthy lead to the final match after beating Zamalek 3-0 at the Super Stadium in Atterdgeville, Pretoria.
– Guardian Sport
