Angolan giants Petro Athletico managed to outwit 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns as they held them to a 1-1 draw in their own territory to advance to the semifinals of the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2001 courtesy of their 3-2 aggregate score.In the second leg match played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening, Masandawana, who were touted as one of the favourites for the title, had to overturn a 2-1 defeat suffered in the first leg.They had two golden chances to cut the deficit but failure to utilize them came to haunt them eventually. First, Namibian hotshot Peter Shalulile picked up a short backpass inside the box in the 7th minute but his eventual shot flew over the bar without causing any trouble when he ought to have scored.🌟 @petro_de_luanda 🌟Atletico Petroleos are in the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL semi-finals for the first time since 2001! 👏 pic.twitter.com/A5EKQHxRWJ— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 23, 2022 The most clear-cut chance that Sundowns will rue came just before the halftime break when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR check as Joaquim Balanga was adjudged to have fouled Themba Zwane inside the box. The striker stepped on to take the spot-kick, but saw his effort grease the outside of the post and wide as the game continued flowing in Petro’s favour.They however had a perfect start in the second half as Kenyan defender Brian Onyango tapped home a rebound from a corner to give them the lead and the advantage in the tie.CAFCL: Mandela scores as Mamelodi Sundowns are eliminatedThe Angolans however had their equalizer in the 61st minute when they were awarded their own penalty kick following another VAR intervention. Unlike Sundowns, Pero skipper Tiago Azulao stepped up and made no mistake to level the tie on the evening, a result that they held onto as they kept out Sundowns till full time to knock out the South African giants.Wydad Casablanca vs CR BeluoizdadIn the other quarter-final fixture, Wydad Athletic Club held off pressure from CR Belouizdad as they played to a barren draw at the Mohamed V Complex in Casablanca on Sunday morning to confirm their slot in the semi-final of the CAF Champions League on a 1-0 aggregate score.𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦! ▶️✅🇲🇦 For the fourth time in a row, @WACofficiel are though to the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final four! 👏 pic.twitter.com/flywzIcGM2— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 23, 2022 The Moroccan giants had won 1-0 in the first leg in Algiers last weekend and that result proved to be the decider as they earned a date with Petro de Luanda in the semis, a side they thrashed 5-1 when they met in the last match of the group phase.With the results, all the last four places have now been confirmed as record champions Al Ahly will face ES Setif in the other semifinal.Semifinal PairingsSemifinal 1 – Al Ahly vs ES SetifSemifinal 2 – Petro Atletico vs Wydad Casablanca🇪🇬 Al Ahly SC🇩🇿 ES Setif🇦🇴 Atletico Petroleos🇲🇦 Wydad ACThe #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final four are set! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3m2y4GhS2P— TotalEnergies CAFCL – TotalEnergies CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) April 24, 2022
