Mamelodi Sundowns produced a fine display to beat Al Hilal 4-2 in Sudan and remain unbeaten in the CAF Champions League Group A.
Masandawana were ruthless in their CAF Champions League match 5 of 6 in Group A, Thapelo Morena scored twice, with Peter Shalulile and Teboho Mokoena netting one apiece at the Al Hilal Stadium. The Tshwane giants took control when Shalulile scored an early going in the encounter, setting their intentions clear to win the match.
The hosts responded shortly with an attack to equalize, Siddig Mohamed of Hilal set his shot on target but Reyaad Pieterse comfortably made a save. The Brazilians produced a moment of quality through Themba Zwane with a counter attack, but the Sudanese goalie, Mohamed Saeed stood firm.
With Brian Onyango receiving a red card for The Brazilians, Yousif Yagoub tried to fire past Pieterse from a free kick as the Sudanese chased the game from behind, his efforts went over the bar. Bafana Ba Style controlled the game for much of the opening encounter after taking the lead, Teboho Mokoena shortly extended the victory for Masandawana through his long range strike at the half hour mark.
The hosts continued looking for a goal as the South African team went into the first half break leading by two goals to zero.
The Blue Waves returned from the break looking more eager to unsettle Masandawana in their lead, Siddig blasted a shot towards Pieterse that looked to be going for goal, but his strike went slightly over the bar. A well played cross in the box of The Brazilians was saved by Pieterse who had to come out of his line to save the goal attempt by the Sudanese.
The hosts’ effort to catch up to Masandawana finally paid off after 55 minutes of play, Yasir El Tayeb’s shot beat Pieterse in goal with a low strike. Hilal’s hope of coming back looked more promising in the second half, but it was not long lived as Morena extended The Brazilians lead to 3 – 1 at the hour mark.
Though the champions would continue to dominate, a further 42 minutes would pass until the third goal came, The Blue Waves had multiple shots on target to come back into the game. Bafana Ba Style converted a smart finish from Morena who scored his first brace in the Champions League.
Al Hilal proved stubborn opposition in spells, the referee pointed to the penalty spot at the last minute of the second half for the home side. After successfully saving the shot, Pieterse was beaten by an El Tayeb follow up shot which secured a goal for his team before the game reached its conclusion. Masandawana remain group leaders with 13 points in their CAF Champions League quest.
Pieterse, B. Onyango, L. Lakay, R. De Reuck, T. Morena, A. Jali © (72′ Ralani), T. Mokoena, L. Kapinga (61′ Maema), H. Domingo (61′ Maboe), T. Zwane (15′ Kekana), P. Shalulile (72′ Vilakazi).
Subs:
Mweene, T. Kutumela, G. Kekana, A. Modiba, N. Maema, B. Ralani, K. Erasmus, L. Maboe, S. Vilakazi
What a game by the team… Including the technical team… Top performance. De Reuck is on another level… I wish we keep him in the team but he’s definitely graduated. Mokoena was magnificent… Jali king.. In fact it’s useless to single out players… The team was just magnificent.
Well done to the boyz. They’ve really done well against all odds. The refereering in Africa is so pathetic. I don’t know how CAF got such a referee to officiate at such a high level. I mean Riyaad was clearly tackled by the Al Hilal striker and he gives them a penalty out of that? I’m really hoping for the boyz to go to the semifinals this time around, from there anything is possible, even their confidence will be high.
Congrats to everyone special to the boys and Technical Team .This is a beginning of do or die the Guys they going to dig deeper and keep upthe Discipline and score goals and concede 0 thank you Guys for always putting smiles on our faces it is so healing during this challenging times in our Country