Mamelodi Sundowns succumbed to their first defeat under coach Miguel Cardoso following their 1-0 loss to Raja Casablanca in their CAF Champions League group stage tie at Stade Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Saturday night.
Benaissa Benamar’s solo goal was enough to earn the Moroccan giants maximum points at home. Benamar found the back of the net in the stoppage time of the first half.
Below are the talking points from this showdown.
SUNDOWNS WINLESS STREAK CONTINUES IN MOROCCO
The result underscores Sundowns’ struggles in Morocco, where they remain winless in all nine away matches against Moroccan opposition.
Out of their nine games, they drew thrice and lost six times. This is the highest number of games they’ve played in any African country before securing their first victory.
MIGUEL CARDOSO SUFFERS FIRST DEFEAT AS SUNDOWNS COACH
Coach Cardoso suffered his first defeat as the Brazilians’ head coach at the hands of Raja Casablanca, whom they defeated 1-0 in South Africa in the first leg.
Since taking over the coaching reins from Manqoba Mngqithi at Sundowns, Cardoso has taken charge of five games. He has registered four wins and one loss.
RED CARD FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ BATHUSI AUBAAS AND KHULISO MUDAU
Things started to get worse for Sundowns when Bafana Bafana international Bathusi Aubaas received a straight red card in the 40th minute of the clash.
Sundowns played 50 minutes of the contest with a one-man down and couldn’t bounce back into the game.
However, in the 80th minute of the game, Raja Casablanca also received a red card with Marouane Zila being sent off.
In the last minutes of the match, Khuliso Mudau was another player sent for an early shower after receiving a straight red card.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS RULED OUT OF TODAY’S MATCH
The Chloorkop-based outfit came into this showpiece without five of their key players who are out of action due to different injuries.
The five players are Themba Zwane, Siyabonga Mabena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Mothobi Mvala, and Keagan Johannes.
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