In pictures: Onyango's Sundowns lift African title

Uganda Cranes' Denis Onyango's Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won a fairytale first CAF Champions League title on Sunday despite a 1-0 second-leg loss to Zamalek of Egypt in Alexandria.

Here is how they came to that historic win . . .

The South African side carried a healthy three-goal advantage into the second leg in Alexandria, and their fans knew they were one leg into victory side

 

 

On the other end, despite trailing by such a huge margin, Zamalek's supporters knew anything can happen in football. It's a strange sport, this one, isn't it?

 

It may be a strange sport, full of miracles, but on the matters on the pitch, these Zamalek players knew how big a task at hand this one was for them

 

 

And while their southern opponents rode on a significantly huge advantage, on the back of the Sundowns' minds, it was far from over

 

 

As both sides concluded formalities with handshakes, 90 minutes of action was to decide if Sundowns would make history or if Zamalek would pull off a tremendous comeback. See Onyango? Over there, wearing Shirt 13 [purple]

 

 

Soon, handshakes were forgetten and the battle had began in a contest watched by a huge crowd. Here, Sundowns' midfielder Khama Billiat vies for the ball with Zamalek's midfielder Ramzi Abd El-Hamid

 

 

Once, the home keeper Mahmoud Abd El-Rehim found himself chasing the ball with Sundowns' midfielder Khama Billiat hot on his heels

 

 

And as the clock ticked on, the home fans willed their side on. They needed a massive turn-around

 

 

On the touchline, it was animated scenes as Sundowns' coach Pitso John Mosimane (C) reacts. Perhaps to a decision that didn't go his team's way? Not sure . . .

 

The South Africans were eliminated in the final qualifying round in April only to be reinstated when their Democratic Republic of Congo opponents were disqualified. Sundowns' midfielder Khama Billiat was a busy man on a busy night as he is seen here being challenged by defenders Ahmed Mohamed Abdalla El-Sayed Nouh (L) and Ali Mossad

 

 

Then came the final whistle, met by huge celebrations by you-know-who

 

 

 

 

 

 But that final whistle was not welcomed by the home players . . .

 

 

Zamalek won the battle in Alexandria but lose the war, 3-1 on aggregate. Some players were clearly distraught and inconsolable

 

 

 

 

 

Success for Sundowns made them $1.5 million (1.38 million euros) richer and secured a place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan during December

 

 

 WELL DONE BOYS!

 

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