From the beginning of the match both sides threw everything they had into the game. Masandawana looked to put pressure on the opposition with their possession game, Teboho Mokoena took the first strike for The Brazilians from far and saw his ball bounce on the side of the 18 area going out for goal kick.
Downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was put to the test, Williams made his first save in the game against a fired up Lilepo Makabi who outran Brian Onyango. Williams pushed the ball out for a corner, Hilal tried their luck from the flag and the keeper got down to make another brilliant save.
The South African international goalie made yet another clinical save against Lilepo from a long ball played all the way from the defense to the front. After enduring multiple attacks, Masandawana’s midfielder Maema made his way into the box to shoot with his left foot forcing Hilal’s goalkeeper Ali Abo to make a save with one hand.
Bafana Ba Style held their shape and defended well for much of the first half proceedings, as the game approached the half time break Khuliso Mudau worked a long range shot towards goal but his effort went wide past the top post. The hosts were unable to penetrate through Downs’ defense and both teams went into the break with no goals on either side while Sundowns held a 75% ball possession.
The Brazilians kicked off the second half with a quick start coming the closest to scoring, Cassius Mailula laid a cross to Marcelo Allende who struck at the ball at the same time from close range but Abo denied him the opportunity at goal. Hilal began pressing higher up the pitch and eventually won the ball, Lilepo got dispossessed in the box as he was about to go for goal and Masandawana regained possession.
Downs began to roam all over the attacking third looking to wreak havoc in the opposition’s defense, a foul was eventually awarded to Masandawana after Aubrey Modiba was brought down. Teboho Mokoena stepped up to take the set-piece, the midfielder was unfortunate to drive the ball into the wall and cause no real threats for the home team.
With pressure building up in Hilal’s box, Mudau and Mailula were the next players to be fouled a few meters away from the box. Modiba stepped up to take the chance, his shot went directly towards the keeper who pushed the ball out but Mudau followed up with a quick reaction and struck into the net from close range to break the deadlock. The Brazilians didn’t hold on to their lead for long, one moment of carelessness at the back as the player closed down Williams quickly trying to play out from the back and the home team equalized through Mohamed Yagoub.
With five minutes left in the encounter, Downs made changes and brought Sphelele Mkhulise for Maema, Sipho Mbule for Mokoena and Mosa Lebusa for Allende. The hosts looked like scoring a second when El Tayeb was challenged in the box a minute before the 90 minutes mark, Athar took up the opportunity but Williams was well in his mark to deny him the goal and made the save.
The final minutes of extra time were open with both sides looking for a winner, but neither team could create a real scoring chance and Masandawana remained top of Group B with 11 points.
This is how we lined up:
Williams, B. Onyango, Mudau, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena (85′ Mbule), Allende (85′ Lebusa), Zwane, Mailula, Maema (85′ Mkhulise), Shalulile.
Subs: D. Onyango, Lebusa, Kutumela, Mkhulise, Mbule, Morena, Ralani, Mashego, Saavedra.
Eish the outcome of this game is not good to me,we shouldn’t have fielded our strong line up so that Al Hilal can win because we all know this team in Egypt will loose by avalanche of goals.
I’m afraid of Al Ahly in knockout stages they know how to grind the results they might end up reaching the finals.If this team won today Al Ahly would have been eliminated today anyway akusenani We shall see how the competition progresses but the Egyptians are happy wherever they are,Kby forever
I saw it coming with Rowan playing small passes in front of the goal, he must learn from that mistake.
Seconded Muzi I couldn’t care less about the comments made by the Al Ahly coach that we must be honest by fielding a strong team just to satisfy the North Africans what do they know about honesty?The same people of fake injuries and masters of time delay tactics and lasers when everything is to their advantage??A huge ego&lot of arrogance.We should have selected a second string squad just to eliminate competition from these people.By the way it was not going to be cheating because we beat AL Ahly on our own we needed no favour from no one.But anyway congratulations to the team,the coaches,the backroom staff and all the the traveling staff that went to Sudan.I still so wish God can help us to go all the way to the finals and clinch this trophy 🏆 just to have our new record ⭐⭐ above our crest/badge.May the Almighty be with us every step of the way.
I am very much disheartened by our coaches, it’s clear to every one they took the instruction or request of AL Ahly, if it was us requesting them they would tell us straight, that our business is ours not theirs, they would even go as far to say they are not Africans, they are not blacks, why we do favour to a team that is racist they hate black people in their team, they treated Pitso unfair…. If we meet them again Rulane must beat them its a command now because he is the fielded a strong team for this poor Sudan….
Good point away from home and hot conditions, our goal keeper turn relax to much with the ball but is a good thing but he needs to be careful doing that in front of a quick striker is dangerous. is a lesson other than that we appreciate you guys
Good away point and satisfied with the work done by everyone at their respective roles.THANK YOU VERY MU.