Former Kaizer Chiefs star Doctor Khumalo has shared his thoughts on why Mamelodi Sundowns settled for a 1-1 draw against Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final, played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Despite enjoying home advantage, Sundowns couldn’t hold on to their lead after Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored in the 54th minute. Just before the final whistle, the Egyptian side’s Walid El-Karti struck to level the game, leaving the Brazilians frustrated.
Khumalo, disappointed with the result, believes Sundowns missed a crucial opportunity to secure a win, especially due to the absence of a key Bafana Bafana player. He pointed to coach Miguel Cardoso’s decision not to bring Themba Zwane on as a factor that hurt their chances to maintain control and defend the lead.
Speaking on SABC3, Khumalo explained, “In the last minutes, which are always critical, you could clearly see the impact of Pyramids’ substitutions. They moved with more speed and fewer touches, while Sundowns relied on longer possession but lacked quickness.”
With the tie level heading into the second leg in Egypt, Sundowns now face pressure to avoid a goalless draw or a loss if they want to lift the trophy.
