Ntuthuko Maphumulo
Sundowns are just two games away from their dream of being crowned the champions of Africa.
Victory would be a just reward for a team that has given so much to South African football by being crowned premier soccer league champions three times in a row. But Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly, who have won the African Champions League twice in 1982 and 1987 stand in their way in the two-legged final.
Sundowns’ great trek in Africa has led them from the floods and land mines of Mozambique to the conflict-diamond fields of the Democratic Republic of Congo and finally to the land where the Pharaohs ruled.
it has also left them fourth from bottom in the Premier Soccer League, but victory in next month’s final would put them in a good frame of mind when they return to local competition.
This year is Sundowns’ fourth in continental competition and they seem to have learned from past mistakes. The furthest they had previously gone in the champions’ league was the semifinals last year where they needed a draw to advance to the final but got stage fright and lost 6-1 to Africa Sport. This year a penalty shoot-out was needed to overcome Petro Atletico of Angola in the semifinals.
They will be seeking to match Orlando Pirates, the sole Southern African team to have lifted the champions league cup, and scoop the $1-million prize money.
With Kaizer Chiefs already having one hand on the Cup Winners’ Cup trophy, Sundowns will be hoping to make it a South African double in continental glory.
They meet the tactically superior North Africans on December 8 and December 23. The cup would be a fine Christmas gift.