Mamelodi Sundowns tasted victory in their first ever African Football League encounter as they scored two goals away from home against Petro De Luanda of Angola, taking the advantage back to Tshwane ahead of the second leg.
Goals from Marcelo Allende and substitute Thapelo Maseko saw Downs leave Angola in the ascendency in the tie and with a lead to protect heading into Tuesday’s return leg at Loftus.
The first twenty minutes saw the away side withstand pressure from the home side, who looked to push forward with every opportunity and take the lead. Grant Kekana picked up an early yellow card with the game being played at a frantic pace.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was called into action as he made a superb save from the effort from close range.
Chances would be few and far between for Masandawana as the first half progressed. Mokoena rose highest to meet Marcelo Allende’s in-swinging free kick, however he could not steer his glancing effort on target. A chance would follow shortly after for attacker Junior Mendieta, who found space to drive forward and shoot , he saw his shot saved by Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques.
The biggest flashpoint of the half came with 5 minutes remaining, when Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have fouled the Petro attacker in the box and gave away a penalty. Petro forward Gilberto stepped up to the spot and saw his effort heroically denied by Williams in goal, who made a double-save to keep the scores level at the break.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with both teams gunning to take the lead and get a foothold on the match.
It took twenty minutes of the second half before Masandawana were finally able to break the deadlock. Marcelo Allende who made a charging run into the box, was picked out by fellow South American Junior Mendieta, before the Chilean dispatched to push Downs ahead.
The goal changed the pace of the game as Masandawana were able to take control of possession and start playing their passing game. With less than 15 minutes to go, Coach Rulani and his technical team rang the changes and brought Gaston Sirino and Thapelo Maseko into the fray, in place of Mendieta and captain Themba Zwane.
The substitutes made an instant impact as Sirino played Maseko in, before the young speedster rounded the keeper to slot home and grab The Brazilians’ second of the evening.
Downs made further changes after the goal as Rivaldo Coetzee and Mosa Lebusa came on to help see out the result. Masandawana withstood a late onslaught of pressure from the hosts to see out the victory and claim a first ever win in the new competition.
How we lined up: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Boutouil, Allende, Mokoena, Mkhulise, Zwane, Mendieta, Modiba
Subs: D Onyango, De Reuck, Lebusa, B. Onyango, Nku, Zungu, Sirino, Mashego, Mabena, Maseko, Maema, Coetzee
Congratulation to yellow soldiers and the yellow nation all over the world, I did not see the game because of load shedding, I saw that Marcelo Allende scored and the man that i am after him to push to perform, thank you Thapelo, I will always push you to stardom. the boys must come back to prepare for the Wednesday game, love you all Masandawana.
Abd lastly well done Coach
Thanks for the job well done. One game at a time.
What a result!!! Great all round performance by the team…it wasn’t easy as the score suggests…Petro were very good…we defended very well…the penalty save by Ronwen was just superb…definitely man of the match as he had other saves to make…Allende what a player…unbelievable…even against TS he was on fire…I worry a little about Zwane succession…for now…we don’t have a replacement….when he’s not there you can tell…he’ll be hard to replace…on the whole the players on the field all gave a great shift…solid performance by the team
Thanķs for the good win Dawanas and if its my wish this are the games we must concentrate fully on them and forget about this plastic trophies here at Mzansi only the league trophy is more important.
To win this trophies to me is just the bragging rights nje especially their prize money which is so little and our players are just getting injured for that,Kby forever
Rhulani go and fetch Etiosa Ighodaro from Supersport United u r very thin up front.There’s no point of reference going forward u just lose 2 strikers boom ,it becomes very difficult to compete in the attack department.Under the circumstances we won and away from home,to score crucial goals without conceding thanks to Rhulani and the boys.Hoping to go all the way and bring this inaugural competition home.Lets strangle Pedro in Pretoria and take away their last breath.Kaboyelo I remain.
Thanks for the win!! The boys did put in a shift!! The game was very tough more than what the scoreline suggest here!! Pedro could have scored 2 goals as well when one looks at the chances that they created!! Williams really saved the day for team. Goodluck to the boys for the return leg!! We deserve to proceed to the the semi final but never take that Angolan club for granted!! I guess Al Ahly will be next opponent in the semi final!!