Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on Saturday in Pretoria won the 2017 CAF Super Cup at their first attempt by defeating TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0.
It is quite ironic that African champions Sundowns, who are known as the “Brazilians’’ had their only goal coming from Brazilian centre-back Ricardo Nascimento, who converted an 83rd minute penalty kick.
The award of the spot-kick by the Egyptian referee was hotly disputed with Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana appearing to fall over Issama Mpeko.
Nascimento displayed coolness to tuck a low shot into the left corner of the net while goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo dived in the opposite direction.
Scoring was a relief for Nascimento as his blunder almost gifted Mazembe an early lead in the annual match between the Champions League and Confederation Cup winners.
The Brazilian did not cut off a pass, allowing Ben Malango to race through with only Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango to beat.
But the Congolese hit the woodwork and when he connected with the rebound, struck the post again.
It was the closest Confederation Cup holders Mazembe came to scoring in a match which Sundowns gradually took control of and wasted several second half chances along the line.
Liberian Anthony Laffor was however the match’s chief culprit, twice missing excellent opportunities to break the deadlock, and Ivorian Gbohouo had to make several fine saves.
TheNewsGuru reports that the result maintained a Super Cup tradition of victories by the Champions League winners.
There was however no reason for this not to be as they have enjoyed home advantage in all but three of the 25 matches.
TheNewsGuru reports that Al Ahly of Egypt have won the annual match a record six times followed by Zamalek of Egypt and Mazembe with three successes each.