Peter Shalulile came off the bench to rescue Mamelodi Sundowns from the jaws of defeat in their penultimate Caf Champions League group match against DR Congo’s Maniema Union at the Stade de Martyrs in Kinshasa yesterday.
Sundowns had to come from behind to beat Maniema 2-1 to take their points tally to eight and remain in second position (on goal difference) in group B ahead of their final match against log leaders AS FAR of Morocco in Pretoria on Sunday.
Having collected five points from four matches at the start of this competition, Sundowns needed to beat Maniema to go to the last home match against AS FAR without the pressure of having to win at all costs.
With this victory, Sundowns stand a good chance to qualify after five rounds if AS FAR beat their Moroccan rivals Raja Casablanca in a match due to be played late last night.
For some reason Masandawana, who are looking to qualify for the knockout stages for the seventh straight time, have battled to score goals in this group as they came to this match having scored just twice and won one game out of four matches.
Yesterday, they should have scored at least one goal in the first half as striker Arthur Sales found himself free in the 7th minute but chose to shoot wide when he had all the time to compose himself and pick a spot. Lucas Ribeiro, too, ballooned over the bar when he had a good opening to score midway through the first half.
With Sundowns wasting their chances, the home side got more and more into the game, with Jephte Kitambala proving a handful for the Sundowns defence. They were to pay the price for their wastage when Kitambala broke all the way from his half to shrug off Teboho Mokoena before beating keeper Ronwen Williams with a low shot in the near post.
Progressing to the last-eight may justify Sundowns’ decision to sack coach Manqoba Mngqithi and replace him with Portuguese-born Miguel Cardoso, just two matches into the group stages.
In three matches in the Champions League, Cardoso has won two and lost one and now looks set to make the quarterfinals alongside AS FAR if Sundowns win their final group match.
Shalulile showed that with his experience he still is in the Sundowns juggernaut as he turned yesterday’s encounter on its head just a few minutes after being introduced towards the end of the match.
South African football fans will hope Orlando Pirates also continue to carry the country’s flag in this competition. Pirates will qualify for the last-eight for the first time since 2013 if they beat Algerian side CR Belouizdad in Orlando this afternoon.
A loss or a draw for the Buccaneers may mean they need to get a result in Cairo when they visit 12-times champions Al Ahly in their last group C match on Saturday.
Scorers:
Maniema - Jephite Kitambala (38m)
Sundowns - Peter Shalulile (82m); Exarcia Moanda (own goal, 90+4min)
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