Mamelodi Sundowns are officially among the last four standing in Africa. In a match defined by VAR drama, sweltering heat, and defensive resilience, “Kabo Yellow” did just enough to overcome a spirited Stade Malien side.
The VAR Rollercoaster
The match began at a frantic pace that caught the visitors off guard.
- Early Setback: Taddeus Nkeng opened the scoring for Malien almost immediately. While initially flagged for offside, a VAR review confirmed the goal.
- The Lifeline: Nkeng appeared to have doubled the lead shortly after, but VAR intervened a second time to rule the strike out, keeping Sundowns’ aggregate lead intact.
- The Second Blow: Just before the break, Haman Mandjan capitalized on a rebound off the woodwork to make it 2-0, leaving Sundowns reeling at halftime.
Holding the Line with 10 Men
The second half saw Sundowns attempt to find their rhythm despite the challenging Malian climate.
- Disallowed Goal: Iqraam Rayners found the back of the net, but the assistant referee’s flag quickly silenced the celebrations.
- Red Card Drama: The task became even steeper in the 77th minute when Aubrey Modiba was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge.
- Tactical Shift: Coach Miguel Cardoso was forced into defensive mode, bringing on Divine Lunga to plug the gaps. Despite intense pressure from the hosts, Sundowns managed the final minutes with veteran composure to prevent a third goal that would have sent the match to extra time.
The Road Ahead: The Final Four
Sundowns have now reached the semifinals for a fourth consecutive season, joining a prestigious lineup of North African giants:
- Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- RS Berkane (Morocco)
- AS FAR (Morocco)
- Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
