Ndola — Sundowns came back from the ropes to have a fighting chance in this Caf Champions League semifinal tie‚ thanks to Khama Billiat’s late strike against Zesco United in yesterday’s first leg in Ndola.

Zesco striker Jackson Mwanza stunned Downs striking twice after the break in the 54th and 56th minutes.

Yesterday’s first leg suggested for a while that the caginess of a semifinal‚ especially one played over two legs‚ might suit Pitso Mosimanes’ more balanced‚ tactically cleverer Sundowns‚ than attack-orientated‚ defensively suspect Zesco.

In the second half‚ though‚ a Sundowns side that in the first half had disjointedly contained Zesco fell apart in the face of the Ndola club’s pacey attack‚ and Mwanza’s strikes.

But the Champions League is about guts and the ability to fight back from the dead‚ as much as who played better on the day.

Billiat’s strike – a crucial away goal – has left the advantage perhaps even to the Brazilians in the second leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium this Saturday. — TMG Digital