Sundowns Controversially reach CAF Champions League semis - Mokwena Gracious in Victory

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg last weekend, Friday night’s return leg in Tshwane also ended 0-0. However, a 59th-minute shot from Young Africans forward Stephane Aziz Ki should have counted.

• How Yanga were wronged
• Young Africans Coach: It Was Clear Robbery
• Mokwena: Yanga were worthy opponents

A powerful shot hit the woodwork and appeared to bounce behind the line. The goal was not awarded and the match finished goalless. 

As per CAF rules, the clash went straight to penalties were Sundowns progressed to the semi-finals. 

Yanga SC coach Manuel Gamondi, who used to be in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns was visibly furious at full time. 

He told SABC 3 in his television interview: “It’s impossible to fight with VAR, I think it’s very unfair what happened, but if I speak I’ll be sanctioned.

"When you play against big teams like that, it’s unfair when it’s like that. What can I say? Only congratulations to my players, they fought. I think we deserved more because we created more chances than them.

“It’s not good for African football what happened today. This big team doesn’t need the help from VAR.  They did cheating against the country and this is very bad.

The 60-year-old Argentine coach continued: "It is suspicious at least, if you want to defend the credibility of African football, it starts from that. Win the game and there is no problem, but win it clearly.

"The referee can make a bad decision because he is a human being, but why he didn't go and check for himself? It was a clear robbery."

Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena was impressed with Yanga SC. However, he said his team were also denied by the officials: "I can’t find words to appease him. 

“I would rather on my side be extremely complimentary of the opposition instead of taking that direction because there were a lot of other situations, like the elbow and Divine Lunga inside the box and that could have been a penalty.

"I don’t want to talk about those things, maybe if I had lost, I would also take that direction.

"Let me be gracious and respectful in victory and say that they were worthy opponents, a good side and when we enjoyed playing against both home and away."

"Sundowns are in the CAF Champions League semi-final and that’s all that matters.”