CAIRO – Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Pyramids FC of Egypt in their CAF Champions League encounter in Cairo after the two sides played out to a goalless stalemate last weekend in Pretoria.
A 17th minute goal by midfielder Teboho Mokoena at the Air Defense Stadium means the South Africans return to the summit of Group A with 7 points along with Mazembe whom they lead with a slightly better goal difference.
Mazembe was also in action as they welcomed Nouadhibou to Lubumbashi whom they easily brushed aside with a comfortable 2-0 win to keep the Group A race to the top alive and exciting.
In the second half of the game, the Egyptian team demonstrated an enhanced performance, consistently applying pressure on their adversaries as they sought to level the score, cafonline reported.
Sundowns’ defensive performance was subpar on the day, as they attempted to build up play from the back but were caught off guard on several occasions.
As time went on, Rulani Mokwena’s side started finding the spaces, breaking the visitors’ block. It was in the 17th minute when Tebogo Mokoena opened the scoring with a thunderous low shot from range.
Moments later, Ronwen Williams was called into action when Fiston Mayele broke away, bursting into the box and facing the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper. ‘Ronza’ was quick to get into the ball first before the DR Congo international.
Sundowns style continued to dominate, building from the back while the home side exerted pressure on them when marking.
Williams kept on closing doors as the Egyptian outfit created a handful of goal-scoring chances. He stopped Mayele’s header as the forward was located with a cross in the box.
Meanwhile, Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel produced a stunning last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal.
Sudanese striker Pape Ndiaye had given Al Hilal a half-time lead in Dar es Salaam after netting just before the break.
The goal put Al Hilal on course for a valuable victory as they seek to climb off the bottom of Group C.
But Sahel had other ideas as substitute Salah Barhoumi struck in the 92nd minute to dramatically steal his side a point.
The late twist means both sides edge onto four points apiece with two games remaining but the result has left Al Hilal coach Florent Ibenge disappointed.
“We are really sad for getting only one point instead of six, playing against Etoile.We have to blame ourselves because we played so well but lost concentration at the very end of the game conceding a goal that came as a suprise,” Ibenge said at the post match press conference.
“It is not over yet as we have two more matches in February hopefully we will make amends and get the elusive win.”
Etoile coach Imed Ben Younes hailed his players for fighting to the end of the game to get the result.
“I want to thank my players for fighting to the end and that enabled us to get a point which is very important,” the Etoile coach Ben Younes said after the match.
“Hilal was very tactical but we kept on pushing them then we capitalised when they lost concentration at the end. I am happy this draw gives us hope on the group.”
The gripping draw leaves Group C finely poised as leaders Petro Atletico with eight points aim to seal first place with second placed Esperance three points adrift.
Elsewhere, Simba AC, who were desperate for their first group stage win played host to Wydad AC in a grudge match against the former champions who edged them 1-0 last weekend.
With the backing of the highly vocal crowd, the Tanzanian giants outclassed the Moroccans with a clinical 2-0 victory courtesy of a first half brace by Leandre Willy Onana.
The result takes Simba to second place in Group B, just behind Asec Mimosas who secured a 3-0 victory over Jwaneng Galaxy in Lubumbashi in a simultaneous fixture thanks to goals by Avo Junior, Assis Aka and last-minute strike by William Karamoko.
Meanwhile in Luanda, ES Tunis was happy to take home a point against Petro de Luanda after a holding the Angolans to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home.
