A 1-1 draw between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al-Hilal in the Caf Champions League means Hilal will have everything to do against Al-Ahly in their final Group B match as both sides still have a chance to progress to the knockout stages.
Victory for Florent Ibenge’s side against Sundowns was enough to see them join holders Esperance, CR Belouizdad and King Casablanca, along with Masandawana, who have qualified for the quarter-finals.
READ ALSO: The real reason why Mudau slapped Mothlohi was finally revealed
Al-Hilal scored 10 points, while The Red Devils scored seven points. The reverse fixture saw Hilal win 1-0 at home, leaving the head-to-head tie for the record holders, who will host Hilal and have the chance to beat the Sudanese side 1-0.
Ronwen Williams made a stoppage time penalty save to ensure that Sundowns unbeaten run since October is still intact. Athar El Tahir took the spot kick after Brian Onyango fouled Yasir Mohamed in the box.
Before that, the game was a little murky in the opening stanza, with chances few and far between. Several Sundowns chances fell to Marcelo Allende, who was found by Modiba in the 14th minute, but the Chile international’s effort was off target.
Teboho Mokoena had a couple of chances down the stretch and he tried to catch the keeper off the goal line with a long-range shot in the 28th minute, but the Bafana Bafana international’s effort did not stay on target.
He stood over the ball on the hour mark when Sundowns were awarded a free-kick in the same position and distance that Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was beaten last weekend in Pretoria. However, Mokoena could not beat the ball over the wall.
Aubrey Modiba looked ambitious as he headed straight for goal in the 68th minute when Sundowns won a free kick from some distance from goal. Modiba’s shot was narrow and goalkeeper Ali Abdullah couldn’t hold it, leaving Khuliso Mudau to score from the rebound to give Sundowns the lead.
The hosts soon found an equalizer as captain Mohamed Raman scored in the 72nd minute, which troubled Sundowns with a mistake that cost the goalkeeper.
READ ALSO: Riveiro knows why Pirates are far behind Sundowns
Williams played a short ball to Mothobi Mvala on the restart and build-up play, but Raman was quick enough to intercept Mvala’s pass back to Williams as he rattled the back of the net to bring some hope to his team.
Sundowns lead the group with 11 points and will host Cotonsport in their final group game in two weeks.