Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 2 – 1 disappointing CAF Champions League defeat on Saturday by Petro de Luanda.
Masandawana kicked off their top 8 competition in the Champions League against Petro de Luanda on Saturday at The Estádio 11 de Novembro Stadium. Downs were up against Petro, who established a commanding half-time lead thanks to stunning goals by Jaredi Lopes and Adriano Yano.
The Brazilians improved after the break and scored almost immediately after the restart through Khuliso Mudau and Gaston Sirino who were pushing way into the opponent’s box. The Tshwane giants took the lead in this mouthwatering encounter in Luanda, the visitors were afforded a free kick in the early minutes of the opening half, Lyle Lakay stepped up and fired a great strike past Wellington Gomes’ under arms.
For over twenty minutes of play after Masandawana’s lead, Petro held on during a frantic period of chasing the game from behind. The hosts showed determination to come back into the game with their build up as they approached Bafana Ba Style’s attacking third, Tiago Leal it in between the central defenders to score a brilliant equalizer for the home team.
The Brazilians played some excellent football as they continued to threaten Petro with counter attacks, this time Thapelo Morena’s shot at goal took a deflection on the defense followed by Gaston Sirino’s efforts past the mouth of goal with no one to finish off the low cross. Masandawana tried their luck again through Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane’s shot at goal.
Petro took the chance to double their lead towards the end of the first half, Yano and his captain, Leal were fearless in challenging the attack of Masandawana which showed to be resilient as they cleared out all attempts to go ahead. It was unfortunate for The Brazilians to concede just before the break, Jaredi’s cross into the box perfectly landed on Yano, who wasted no time in sending his team into the lead for the first time in the clash.
Masandawana came out fighting in the second half, Mudau and Sirino tried their luck twice in quick succession, forcing their way in around the opponent’s box. Still searching for an equaliser, Sirino found himself in a scramble for the ball before he was brought down in what the referee awarded a freekick to Downs. Lakay stepped up once again to test the goalie, his shot went into the hands of Gomes this time.
The Brazilians went for a change after the hour mark with Neo Maema and Lebohang Maboe replacing Morena, and Sirino. Pavol Safranko and Mothobi Mvala were also introduced into the game.
Petro de Luanda had the chance to put in some dangerous deliveries but failed to make them count and were punished by the hosts on the stroke of full time. Maema shortly overturned the events of the afternoon, the 26-year-old full back brilliantly controlled the ball before taking a fine shot at goal, an equalizer for Masandawana at the dying moments of the game was denied by the referee. After a Video Assistant Review (VAR) analysis, the reference disallowed The Brazilians’ hopes of a comeback.
Saturday’s result leaves Masandawana with a lot of work to do in the second leg.
This is how we lined up:
- Onyango ©, M. Lebusa, K. Mudau (77′ Pavol), L. Lakay, B. Onyango, A. Jali, T, Mokoena (77′ Mvala), T. Morena (64′ Maema), T. Zwane, G. Sirino (64′ Maboe), P. Shalulile.
Subs:
- Mweene, M. Mvala , R. De Reuck, A. Modiba , P. Safranko, L. Kapinga, N. Maema, K. Erasmus, L. Maboe.
We’ll never win champions league under these useless technical team with their favouritism,I said it b4 that Lebusa should only play after we have wrapped up the league not in the champions league.You can’t play Lebusa and B Onyango at the same time,they are both not comfortable,they positioning is awful,, they failed to deal with crosses.I really don’t know what the technical team sees in Lebusa,even last season we los 1st leg of the quarter finals because of him,our defense was solid when he was injured.You can’t put your best defender and the league’s best defender De Reuck on the bench in this crucial game,no defender is able to deal with crosses,win aretsi balls and wins tackles than De Reuck,even Onyang B plays better when he’s partnering him.We have our two reliable central defenders in De Reuck and Kekana.You just can’t try new central defensive partnership in the knockout stages,we conceded silly goals bcoz of ball watching from those defenders.I really think this technical team is deliberately sabotaging us based on their decision making.You can’t introduce Mvala when you are chasing a game.I really think they should be fired is they fail to win champions league.
I’m confident we’re going to win the return leg comfortably,we lost a game we could have easily won.Favouritsm must be eradicated in our team.
I fail to understand y Maboe is suddenly playing ahead of Domingo and Mkhulise,favouritism needs to stop b4 it costs us a place in the semis,and the inclusion of Brian Onyango was always ticking time bomb cos dat guy is NOT sundowns material (he cant run,he cant position himself,he mistimes his tackles) bt to my surprise he finds himself in the starting 11,and lastly,Khuliso Mudau should NOT play da second leg,bt because he is one of Manqobas favourites,I wont b surprised to c him starting
Guys there is nowhere that our best central defender Rashine is out on the bench in favour of Lebusa!! Lebusa can’t deal with crosses and there there is noway that we can win the Champions league if these coaches behave as if they are blind in how lebusa plays! The team did not play well defensively! Why Rushine is being benched?
Poor selection by our technical team gave Petro advantage.
They decided to start with Morena right from injury, Lebusa ahead of De Reuch.
They substituted the player that was playing better than all Downs attacking players.
I’m now watching Al Ahly vs Raja game! The game isplayed at frantic pace! What game! 2-1 to Al Ahly at half time! But our coaches disappointed me today! The team selected was poor today!
There was no need to introduce Maboe! He comes from long layoff and he has picked up form as yet! Sirino was our best player on the night! He gave the Angolans problem whenever he was in possession!
Wrong technical choices, our central defense was exposed with Lebusa and Onyango. I cannot understand how Rushine and Kekana, our two best central defenders, to be kept on the bench in expense of the two madalas. Also why removing Serino, our man of the match. He was the one who was troubling the Petro defense. Mokwena was not in the game, I would prefer the partnership of Jali and Maluleka. The technical team, especially Rhulani, should stop with favoritism.
Guys Brian Onyango is the best defender at Sundowns to deal with these big strikers in Africa &has proven that &is. yet to be exposed.Yes Lebusa is not comfortable at all if u consider that last year he conceded an unnecessary corner that resulted to Al Ahly’s goal.But the biggest passage throughout the game excepting that he. Scored a great away goal but to speek the leeway to Petros goals&their chances.Again Mokoena,I was not impressed by his display &this inclusion of Maboe in a game of such high intensity is a big no no no.We have seen & tolerated the presence of Maboe but these ones must not return to that in 2022.Otherwise we r still having a 90 minutes to overturn what happened in Luanda..In the second half we would have brought De Reuck&Mvala should have been brought earlier than that.But to speak the truth Champion’s League is not a child’s play I thought picking Petro was just a walk in the park,But to the coaches, select players on merit,there won’t be any complaints..Kaboyelo I remain.
Caf Champions league is not a child’s play’s play! I agree you my brother! These coaches must apply their minds in selecting the team of the day! Mokoena was out of the game as well! Moboe is still building his confidence after a long layoff and throwing him in in such a game was suicidal from the coaches! The team selection on the day was not spot on!
Egypt use these CAF tournaments to build their national team and they won the natons cup more than any other team in the continent!
Guys we lost because of poor selection, onyango and lebusa cost us big time I hope the three wise man learn a lesson Caz that time is hard running so second leg we need to beat them and make sure they don’t score
De Reuk and Kekana are the best central defenders we have with good speed and football brilliance needed in football, hayi laba slow pace B Onyango who can’t even position himself well. Where was Ralani, Teboego Mokoena is also lazy , not a hard worker at all, i would like to get his stats really.