Chiefs set to join elite duo as CL semifinalists

Kaizer Chiefs will become the third South African club to feature in the semifinals of Africa’s elite club competition the Champions League when they take on Wydad Casablanca in Morocco on Saturday.

They join Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, who have each reached this stage three times before, and more often than not it is the South African clubs who have prevailed.

Here is a look back at the past semifinal clashes for Premier Soccer League sides.

1995 – Orlando Pirates

Pirates met Express of Uganda in the Last 4 on their way to lifting the trophy and becoming the first South African club to win a continental title, then known as the Champions Cup.

The edged the first leg 1-0 at home thanks to a Jerry Sikhosana goal just after halftime. It looked like they might need to go to penalties after they trailed 1-0 in the second leg, until Gavin Lane popped up with an 89th minute goal that put The Buccaneers through.

They defeated ASEC Abidjan in the decider with another Sikhosana goal in the away leg.

2001 – Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns made their first semifinal appearance in 2001 and were also victorious, this time against Angolan outfit Petro Atletico, though it was a very tight contest.

They grabbed a 2-0 lead from the first leg after goals for Carlo Scott and Daniel Mudau, but lost by the same margin in the return leg. That took the tie to penalties and Sundowns triumphed 5-3 in the shoot-out. They lost to Al Ahly in the decider.

2006 – Orlando Pirates

Pirates were back in the semifinals in 2006 but this time it would end in defeat as they went down 1-0 on aggregate to Tunisian side CS Sfaxien.

The first leg in Soweto ended goalless, before a 1-0 win for the North Africans in Sfax in the return. They would go on to lose to Al Ahly in the final.

2013 – Orlando Pirates

Pirates would face another Tunisian side when they returned to the semifinals seven years later in the form of Esperance, and this time came out on top.

They again played to a goalless draw in Soweto as the North Africans came to park the bus, but a rare Rooi Mahamutsa goal in the return in Tunis handed them the advantage.

Iheb Msakni equalised for Esperance three minutes later, but Pirates were able to hold on for the win.

Pirates could not get over the line in the final though as they lost to Al Ahly.

2016 – Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns were the favourites going into their semifinal against Zambian side Zesco United but were made to sweat for the 3-2 win on aggregate.

They lost the first leg 2-1 in Ndola with Khama Billiat grabbing a late goal for them that would prove important. Anthony Laffor and Percy Tau scored the goals in a 2-0 home victory in the reverse fixture.

Sundowns went on to beat Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate in the final.

2018-19 – Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns were back in the semifinals in the 2018-19 season and came up against a now familiar foe in the form of Wydad Casablanca.

It would end in disappointment though as a 2-1 first leg away loss was followed by a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture, Sundowns were simply unable to break down the stubborn defence of the visitors.

The late Anele Ngcongca got the only goal for them in the tie, and Wydad would go on to lose the final in controversial circumstances as the title was awarded to Esperance after the Moroccans refused to play on in the second leg following a VAR dispute.