4 days ago
Sundowns unable to scale Pyramids, as Egyptian club crowned kings of Africa
From there, it was Sundowns' task to aim for an unanswered goal to take the tie to extra time and penalties, or two to win. They had an outstanding chance for that spurned by Tashreeq Matthews seconds before the break.
Ahmed Samy made it 3-1 heading in a free-kick in the 56th, and Downs needed two unanswered goals to win.
Iqraam Rayners pulled one back in the 75th. Downs could not find another, despite substitute Peter Shalulile coming excruciatingly close .
In the opening half, Sundowns paid for being that minute margin loose that can be so costly at the rarefied level of a continental final and went behind from a defensive error. Had the bounce of the ball gone their way, the Brazilians could also have gone to the break level.
A cleverly-worked free-kick from the middle by Downs saw Aubrey Modiba chip short into the path of Rayners, who took the ball over his shoulder and volleyed high.
At the other end a half-clearance fell to Ahmed Atef on the edge of the box to strike well, but too close to Williams, who took easily.
