CAF Champions League Holders Mamelodi Sundowns Stunned by Wiliete SC in Shock Exit
Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League title defence came to a dramatic and unexpected end on Friday night after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Angolan side Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. The result saw the Brazilians eliminated on the away goals rule after the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate.
Having secured a goalless draw in the first leg in Lubango, Sundowns entered the second leg as firm favourites to book their place in the next round. Miguel Cardoso’s side started brightly and immediately put Wiliete under pressure in front of their home supporters.
The hosts nearly found an early breakthrough in the fourth minute when Cassius Mailula showed clever footwork inside the penalty area before seeing his effort blocked behind for a corner. Moments later, Aubrey Modiba’s delivery found Thabang Matuludi, whose header flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Sundowns continued to dominate the opening exchanges, with Matuludi again threatening in the ninth minute as he cut in from the right and unleashed a shot that drifted just wide of the target. The home side looked determined to make their superiority count.
Their pressure paid off in the 11th minute when Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring. The winger’s effort took a fortunate deflection before beating the goalkeeper and nestling in the back of the net to hand Sundowns a crucial 1-0 lead.
The reigning African champions controlled possession for much of the remainder of the first half, patiently probing for a second goal. Modiba came close in the 25th minute with a fierce strike that forced the Wiliete goalkeeper into action, while Ronwen Williams produced an important save three minutes later at the opposite end.
Sundowns carried their advantage into halftime and appeared on course for qualification. However, the visitors stunned Loftus Versfeld shortly after the restart when Agostinho Cristovao Paciencia, better known as Mabululu, found the equaliser in the 49th minute to level both the match and aggregate score.
The goal shifted the momentum of the contest and left Sundowns chasing another breakthrough. Brayan Leon thought he had restored the lead five minutes later, only for the referee to rule out the effort for a foul. The striker then came agonisingly close again in the 59th minute but sent his shot just over the crossbar.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso responded by introducing Siyanda Ndlovu, Antonio Van Wyk, Thapelo Morena, Themba Zwane and Iqraam Rayners as Sundowns desperately searched for the goal that would save their campaign. Ndlovu nearly delivered an immediate impact in the 67th minute when his powerful volley forced an excellent save from the Wiliete goalkeeper.
Despite wave after wave of late pressure, Sundowns could not find a second goal. Leon was denied again late in the match, and as the final whistle sounded, the Pretoria giants were left stunned. The 1-1 draw sent Wiliete SC through on away goals, completing one of the biggest upsets of the CAF Champions League season and ending Sundowns’ reign as African champions in heartbreaking fashion.