A mature performance from Sundowns in Morocco.

Mamelodi Sundowns left the Stade Mohammed V Stadium bruised, but not beaten as they held defending champions, Wydad AC to a 0-0 draw in a CAF Champions League semi-final first leg on Saturday evening. 

The result was impressive, tricky as it is, because a 0-0 draw leaves the second leg wide open, but it is in the performance that achieved the result where Sundowns were excellent. 

One has to look at how the Brazilians played in the first half when it was still 11 vs 11.

Despite a hostile atmosphere created by the crowd, and the weight of the occasion, Sundowns were still able to block out all the noise, deal with the pressure, and play their normal, daring, arrogant possession football that has earned them respect across Africa. 

You don't go to Morocco, to play the defending CAFCL champions, in front of such a crowd, and control more than 60% of the ball, with a passing accuracy of 80% in the opposition half, but Sundowns did that without any fear or panic, and that is what I call maturity. 

It was in the second half where I thought the Brazilians would be totally against wall. 

Having lost Neo Maema through a red card in the 43rd minute, it was going to take a performance and a half for Sundowns to stop Wydad from taking full advantage of their numerical advantage and win the game. 

But the only thing that Wydad achieved with their extra man, was more possession and one or two good chances. 

But in all honesty, Sundowns were still in control, they still played with confidence, despite having to change their approach a little, they still played with structure, but most importantly, they did not panic. 

Another coach, on another day, would have sacrificed a Thapelo Morena for a midfielder, but not Rulani Mokwena. 

Instead, he simply adjusted the formation and they carried on. 

I do not remember watching a South African side giving such a controlled, measured performance in a hostile environment, except maybe the Orlando Pirates of 1995 who went on to conquer Africa, but Sundowns did it with so much ease, credit, they deserve. 

From good, Sundowns can go on to be great.