'They needed a Themba Zwane!' Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo blames Miguel Cardoso's tactics after Mamelodi Sundowns failed to beat Pyramids FC in Caf Champions League final

Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw with Pyramids in the first leg of the Caf Champions League final played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Lucas Ribeiro's brilliant finish in the 54th minute gave the hosts a deserved lead, before the Egyptian outfit responded in the stoppages courtesy of Walid El Karti.

It was a disappointing ending to the fans who had expected victory at home in their bid to see Sundowns win their second star.

A section of the fans felt coach Miguel Cardoso was partly to blame for the draw.

Their sentiments have been seconded by Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo.

The former attacking midfielder believes legendary playmaker Themba Zwane was needed to dictate the tempo, but the former Esperance tactician opted against fielding him.

He further feels Masandawana failed to effectively read Pyramids' style of play.

“I think this is the result [Pyramids] wanted; I said the last minute of the game, which is a critical phase, you’re going to see the changes that Pyramids made," he told SABC3.

“What they did first half, they were quick to go forward with two to three players touching the ball. With Sundowns, there were six or seven touches.

“Now, second half, what they did was not to allow Sundowns to build from the back as usual, they neutralised a certain number of players that they thought could be a danger to them," Khumalo continued.

“Sundowns needed a player that could dictate the tempo of the match and that positional play because they are leading. So giving possession away is dangerous, and keeping it defending. So they’re defending in terms of they are leading, the Pyramids are chasing the game.

“But who is in the middle for them to be able to do that. They needed a Themba Zwane who would be able to have that tiki-taka combinational play," he concluded.

Cardoso has to work on his players' mentality before the second leg in Cairo.

They need a high-scoring draw or a win to be crowned.