Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw by Sudan’s Al-Hilal in a CAF Champions League Group C match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday evening.
Arthur Sales and Teboho Mokoena scored for the home side, while Abdelrazeg Yagoub Omer Taha scored a brace for the visitors.
Masandawana welcomed some of their Bafana Bafana stars who had been rested for the Betway Premiership match against Orbit College on Monday.
Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena returned to the starting line-up, while coach Miguel Cardoso rewarded SA under-20 junior international Thato Sibiya with a starting place following his impressive man-of-the-match performances on Monday. Striker Lebo Mothiba was also the preferred choice upfront.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FAIL TO CAPITALISE DESPITE DOMINATING PLAY
The home side posed an early threat in the sixth minute with a long-range shot from Teboho Mokoena outside the box, but missed the target.
While the home side dominated proceedings from the onset, they were stunned by the visitors in the 15th minute. Abdelrazeg Yagoub Omer Taha struck inside the box against the run of play to give the Sudanese giants a 1-0 lead.
However, it took seven minutes for Sundowns to find an equaliser through Arthur Sales, who converted from a Nuno Santos assist.
A few minutes later, Santos thought he had won a penalty for the home side inside the box, but Malian referee Ousmane Diakite waved play on. The two teams went into the halftime break at 1-1.
Sundowns made an immediate substitution coming into the second half, bringing in newly signed striker Brayan Leon for Lebo Mothiba.
His impact was immediately felt after an assist for Thato Sibiya but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise.
Leon nearly scored his first goal in the CAF Champions League after a pass by sales but was denied after a brilliant save from Soufiane Quedraogo in the 62nd minute.
TEBOHO MOKOENA STUNNER NOT ENOUGH AS MASANDAWANA ARE HELD AT HOME
It took a stunning goal from Teboho Mokoena, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box to beat a helpless Quedraogo.
However, the visitors were on the scoresheet seven minutes later after Taha slotted home his second of the match with a low shot inside the box.
The visitors finished the match with 10-men after substitute Emmanuel Flomo was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Mudau with roughly five minutes remaining. Both teams are now on five points after three matches played.
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