Premier Soccer League side Mamelodi Sundowns have become the only South African side after Orlando Pirates to win the CAF Champions League.
Though losing 0-1 in Alexandria to Zamalek on Sunday, the Brazilians ran away as 3-1 aggregate winners, having thrashed the Egyptians 3-0 in last week’s first leg.
Nigerian Stanley Ohawuchi scored in the 64th minute but that was not enough to stop the South Africans, who were re-admitted into the elite competition after DR Congo’s AS Vita Club were disqualified, from being crowned African champions.
Masandawana, as Sundowns are popularly known back in South Africa, had their African hopes dashed this year by Ghana’s Medeama SC, who beat the now African champions in the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup play-offs, after they were originally eliminated by AS Vita in the CAF Champions League.
By their maiden feat, Sundowns will represent Africa in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Japan in December.
Fans took to Twitter to congratulate the Brazilians on their feat with many calling for a public holiday in South Africa.
Coach Pitso Mosimane goes into the record books as the first South African manager to win the continent’s flagship club competition.
He was showered with praise on Twitter with one fan calling for a renaming of the Ellis Park after him.
God loves us all. Congrats Sir Pitso Mosimane. You are my coach of the year already in the next coming South African Awards #CAFCLFinal
— King Vegetarian (@jeffvege) October 23, 2016
Gambian referee Papa Gassama Bakary was also highly praised by fans for his decisions on the night.
My Man of the match is Bakary Papa Gassama(Mr ref) he was spot on. He handled this game very well… #CAFCLFinal
— Thabiso C Moabelo (@ThabisoMoabelo) October 23, 2016
Another best man #CAFCLFinal #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/e8TVKwpWHd
— Jerry Zulu (@Kamphumzen) October 23, 2016
Referee was tops ???????? #CAFCLFinal
— Nazier 17 (@NazierJacobs17) October 23, 2016
Sundowns’ win has turned the heat on Kaizer Chiefs, whose rivals at Orlando Pirates are teasing already for not having won any continental honours.
The rivalry among fans of Amakhosi and 1995 African champions Pirates is intense in South African football.
Pirates’ fans are suspected to be behind the mockery of Chiefs after Sundowns’ continental glory.
#CAFCLFinal congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns for winning final. Chiefs needs to up their game now conquer Africa then you are big team
— vusi vilane (@vilane_vusi) October 23, 2016
#CAFCLFinal 1995: Orlando Pirates 2016: Mamelodi Sundowns 2234: Kaizer Chiefs
— ️® (@ProdByNight) October 23, 2016
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana