Experience, mental fortitude got Wydad past Mamelodi Sundowns - Sven Vandenbroeck

Wydad Casablanca head coach Sven Vandenbroeck had one mission when he took over the reins at the Moroccan club a week before facing Mamelodi Sundowns, returning to the CAF Champions League final.

The Belgian tactician did just that after Wydad eliminated Mamelodi Sundowns on away goals rule after a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon in Pretoria.

Vandenbroeck credited his players’ experience and the right mentality: “We wanted to save the energy in the first half, and the boys did well.”

“Our experience and mentality helped us to win the game. But credit to Mamelodi Sundowns, who I think put up a fight,” Vandenbroeck noted in the post-match interview.

“It’s going to be an interesting final (vs Al Ahly) because we lost last year, so let’s see how it goes,” he added.

Wydad Casablanca beat Al Ahly 2-0 in the 2022 one-off final at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, and they will be chasing a fourth interclub title in the club’s history in the 2023 two-legged final.

For Mamelodi Sundowns, the wait for a second CAF Champions League title continues having failed to reach the final since lifting the title in 2016.

On the domestic front, Wydad, chasing a 23rd league title, are just a point behind table leaders FUS Rabat in the Botola Pro League after 25 games with five games to go.