Mamelodi Sundowns bow out of the CAF Champions League race after settling for a 1-1 draw with Atlético Petroléos at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
A second half Brian Onyango strike gave Masandawana the edge in the opening of the second half encounter. Moments later, Tiago Azulão put his team back in the game as the Angolans equalized after the referee’s VAR decision.
An early attack down the right saw Bafana Ba Style show intent to open the scoring and take the lead early in the mouth watering battle in front of a cheerful crowd in Soweto. Themba Zwane took the ball deep into the visitors’ territory and found Peter Shalulile in the box, Shalulile was tackled before he could put a fine shot at goal.
Masandawana bossed possession and camped out in their opponents’ half for most of the time. The best chance from this spell fell to Mshishi, the midfield maestro’s header went slightly over the top post. Petros goalie, Wellington Gomes was called into action to deny Shalulile’s attempt in the 20th minute with the Namibian’s attempt falling directly into the arms of the keeper.
Neo Maema got into the action and showed eagerness to help his team in attack with an attempt at goal which saw the ball go over the goalposts. The Brazilians energy and efforts in the final third earned them a penalty, Zwane was fouled in the 18 area after confirmation made from the VAR. Bafana Ba Style’s chance to take the lead disappeared as Zwane’s penalty shot hit the far post.
The game went into the first half break goalless, however Petro was still leading in aggregate from the previous 2 -1 victory recorded on their home ground.
The beginning of the second half cqme alive, Masandawana were presented an early free kick outside the box. Lyle Lakay stepped up to take his chance, Lakay’s powerful shot was pushed out by Gomes with Brian Onyango close by to finish off the loose ball and put it at the back of the net.
The Brazilians celebration did not last for long, Petro were also afforded a penalty of their own after Denis Onyango was booked for a foul. Onyango’s attempt at saving an in-swinger was reviewed by the referee using VAR, after a few minutes of analysing the incident, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Azulão neatly worked his shot and sent Onyango the wrong way to equalize for Petro.
Masandawana made changes to their line up, Lesedi Kapinga, Pavol Safranko and Gaston Sirino made their way on for Zwane, Bradley Ralani and Lebohang Maboe. Safranko was quickly caught in the action after taking a shot at Gomes. Downs continued to work the ball from left to right, with Lakay’s resulting effort cannoning back off the woodwork.
The visitors showed resilience in their defense, blocking every attempt to score by the Tshwane giants as the game continued to challenge the home team. Downs efforts to score their second goal resulted in more pressure applied on the visitors’ defense. Despite their efforts to stay in the game, The Brazilians were unable to extend their lead in the second leg as the game concluded in a dramatic draw to send the Angolans into the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
This is how we lined up:
- Onyango ©, R. De Reuck, B. Onyango, L. Lakay, T. Morena, A. Jali, N. Maema (70′ Sirino), B. Ralani (67′ Safranko), L. Maboe, T. Zwane (67′ Kapinga), P. Shalulile
Subs:
- Mweene, M. Lebusa, A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, G. Kekana, S. Mkhulise, G. Sirino, L. Kapinga, P. Safranko
We need to take a leaf from what Pitso had said whether we like it or not. The first 11 was wrong. What system was that,that played Jali as a sweeper there was a hole in middle of the park. I think there is favoritism in our team look a Ralani he did not play well he should have been substituted earlier. Our coaches are limited in terms of coaching.
Yaah, Ralani and maboe they should not been started with them Caz they didn’t contribute nothing
They are supporters who says on Jessica M Sports on YouTube that our Wisemen must be fired because of yesterday’s game.
There’s no team on this planet which is entitled to win every games and PLS guys let’s not support the results but the team irrespective of the outcome of the game,those who says that are the ones that were boasting that Downs is too big for African soccer let’s have Barca or Liverpool forgetting that an opponent comes to field prepared and a goal comes because of the mistakes of the opponents they capitalized on that even we can get the new coach we will loose maybe we won’t get any trophy here in SA.
I repeat let’s take a leaf of what happened to Bucs when they relieved Krol even now they are chopping and changing with no silverware.If you don’t take a defeat go and support an invincible team and I wonder you’ll find one thina we supported this team during the days of Zola Mahobe since today not supporting results and our blood is yellow till we depart on this earth pls sishiyeni ngoxolo ne Downs yethu ephuma njalo kuma quarterfinals kodwa one day kolunga its not the end of the world in life you fall and rise.
Maybe their downfall(Wisemen)is raising the bar too high at our club by losing one or two games in a season which was unheard of in our country.
I don’t think those who preach the axing of our coaches are true Downs supporters maybe its our rivals because they knew very well that these coaches are giving them hard times maybe a new one will make them get some silverware.
Two season in a row we are miles away with points even we can loose all our remaining games we gonna take the league its all because of our lovely Wisemen and Royal AM will falter along the way,Chiefs is out by goal difference,sometimes you find the importance of a thing that it was good once its gone,Hands off our Wisemen
to the coaches ,technical team,players and everyone involved in building this Sundowns team – you are doing a very good job ,don’t even think about undermining or putting yourselves under pressure . Bayern Munchin is out of champions league Barcelona is also out ,and another big team with a coach talking too much spent 7 years without winning the tittle . all is not lost next season you will give it another try kabo yellow .
Luvuyo spot on member at least there supporters who can analyse a game.We can blame Maboe,yes he lost balls and was very tired and should have been replaced early,but was left alone in the middle to deal with 2,sometimes 3 players,when he reserved the ball he was always surrounded by opponents bcoz the ever erratic Jali was playing central defense.I urge all supporters to watch that game again Jali was receiving the ball from Onyango D and pass it straight in the middle to opponents where he was supposed to be,if you were not aware,start monitoring him you will see how he cheaply loses the ball.Ralani was never in the game and should have been replaced at halftime but they took long to replace or even alter a game plan like there is still 3rd leg to play.We lacked big match temperament,we were nervous and anxious and always rushing things.With regard to playing personnel no team can match us but we are been overpowered both technically and tactically.Denis is also killing us,even if he was sightly touched,he miss judged the ball and the ball was never in his control.If we going use in the Nedbank we might as well kiss it goodbye.I think we must go for Maart from Skhukhune,he plays our style,good passer of the ball and above all has energy to last more than 90 minutes.My plea to the technical team is to play the likes of Kapinga,Maema,Modiba,Lunga,Mokoena,Pieterse,Goss and Mkhuma regularly for the remainder of the season to prepare them for next season bcoz we have already won the league.