Staff Reporter.
TP Mazembe secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League Group A match at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Saturday afternoon.
Sundowns remain top of Group A with three points. However, things might change after the Pyramids and Nouadhibou game which is scheduled to start at 18:00.
Sundowns dominated, few clear-cut opportunities were created, while Mazembe fell back on attempting long-distance efforts, with Cheick Fofana coming closest on the half-hour with a powerful shot that went just wide.
Sundowns captain Themba Zwane could not believe he missed a seater to give his team the lead in the 39th minute, as he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to see the ball brush the upright and go wide.
Against the run of play, Mazembe grabbed the lead on the hour mark, Glody Likonza heading past Ronwen Williams to make it 1-0.
Sundowns continued to push, and Lucas Ribeiro was denied by Aliou Faty in the 75th minute from close range.
But the goal just wouldn’t come for Sundowns, and Mazembe held on for a famous win, just their second over their South African opponents.
This defeat, was Rulani Mokwena’s second loss in CAF competitions since he took over the coaching reins at Sundowns as a solo coach.
Sundowns will be hoping to redeem themselves when they face Pyramid of Egypt on the 10th of December 2023.
In Ghana, Medeama FC who were desperate for a result following last weekend’s disappointment against Al Ahly had to meet another North African side in Algeria’s CR Belouizdad.
Coming into the clash at the back of a 3-0 win over Young Africans, the Algerians grabbed the lead courtesy of a Abdelraouf Benguit penalty conversion in the 39th minute.
With the backing of the home support, the Ghanaians continued to push forward despite the setback and were duly rewarded just before the break as Daniel Lomotey found the equalizer in the 45th minute.
With the match destined for a stalemate, Mamudu Kamaradin stole the show in referee’s additional time to make it 2-1 to the hosts and secure an emphatic victory over their visitors.
In Sudan, Al Hilal temporarily go top of Group C after an impressive 3-1 victory over ES Tunis in a simultaneous fixture.
The hosts grabbed the lead in the 8th minute with the help of an own goal by Yassine Meriah before Mohamed Abdelrahman extended the lead in the 15th minute through a penalty.
Kebba Sowe found what was meant to be a comeback goal in the 59th minute but Pape N’Diaye’s 78th minute broke the Tunisians’ hearts as they suffered their first loss of the group stages.
The result throws Group C wide open with ES Sahel playing host to Petro de Luanda on Saturday evening.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.