Mamelodi Sundowns suffer shock CAF Champions League elimination in preliminary round

Downs shockingly sent packing in CAFCL prelims

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Mamelodi Sundowns suffer shock CAF Champions League elimination in preliminary round

Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns @ Facebook

23.10.26 FT CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Wiliete Benguela

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a shock elimination in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round after a one-all draw with Wiliete Benguela at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday.

The Brazilians looked to get on the front foot after a goalless stalemate in the first meeting, with Thabang Matuludi rising the highest from a corner, but his header sailed over the bar five minutes from kickoff.

Tashreeq Matthews broke the deadlock in the 11th minute after his deflected shot beat Elber Delgado in the Wiliete goal, before Aubrey Modiba called the goalkeeper into service with a fierce strike 11 minutes later.

Wiliete restored parity four minutes after the restart as deadly striker Mabululu pounced on a slip from Marcelo Allende, which saw the Girabola log leaders switch to a low-block approach for the remainder of the match.

Sundowns had the ball in the back of the net in the 54th minute, but it was chalked off, with Brayan Leon penalized for a foul before scoring what he thought was the go-ahead goal.

Leon found space in the box five minutes later, sending his effort over the bar, before substitute Siyanda Ndlovu hit a one-time volley which was gratefully clutched by Delgado in the 67th minute.

The Colombian centre-forward continued to probe in the closing stages of the match, but Delgado was equal to the task yet again, ensuring Wiliete secure a historic victory and a first-ever group stage berth.

Masandawana have failed to qualify for the group stages for the first time since 2015 under Pitso Mosimane, and became the eighth defending champions to crash out in the preliminary round.

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Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.