CAF Champions League
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Wydad Casablanca
Date: 17 September 2017
Venue: Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium
Yannick Zakri's goal was enough to lead Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League quarterfinal tie.
It was a tense opening couple of minutes as both teams were not hurrying in attack and looked to be patient in build up.
It was that patient build up that presented Sundowns with the first chance of the match when a series of passes ended up with captain Hlompo Kekana who created space in the middle before firing a powerful shot just wide of the post.
Chances were very few and far between with the visiting team sitting deep in defense and the hosts unable to breakdown the Wydad defensive line.
A series of long throw-ins from Sundowns created the only half opportunity in the opposition box as the ball fell to Leornardo Castro but the forward couldn't get a clean shot away and the ball was eventually cleared.
The half ended in a disappointing 0-0 scoreline.
Halftime substitute Yannick Zakri looked lively in attack and the winger made a powerful run into the box from deep and forced a corner from the Wydad defense on the stroke of the hour mark.
A glorious opportunity literally fell on the lap of Wayne Arendse after Percy Tau delivered a pinpoint cross from a free kick. The ball hit against the lap of an on-rushing Arendse and straight into the keeper's hands.
The breakthrough finally came from a set piece that saw Tau's corner delivery flick on by Themba Zwane and driven home by Yannick Zakri from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Masandawana managed to hold on to secure a 1-0 advantage heading into next week's quarter-final second leg in Morroco.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 16 Onyango, 27 Morena, 6 Arendse, 23 Madisha, 4 Langerman, 11 Vilakazi (Zakri 46') 9 Manyisa, 8 Kekana, 18 Zwane, 22 Tau, 29 Castro.
