AFL: Mamelodi Sundowns sink Petro to kick off campaign on a high

Mamelodi Sundowns opened up their first appearance in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) on a bright note after securing a 2-0 quarter final first leg victory over Angolan side Petro de Luanda at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Angola on Saturday 21 October.

Goals from Marcelo Allende and substitute Thapelo Maseko in the second half saw the visitors leave Angola in the ascendency in the tie, and with a lead to protect heading into Tuesday’s return leg at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.

It was Mamelodi’s first piece of action since suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat to TS Galaxy in the Carlin Knockout first round tie on Wednesday 18 October.

With six changes made to the side by head coach Rhulani Mokwena on Saturday, including one that saw Ronwen Williams return in place of Reyaad Pietersee in goal, Masandawana made early pressure in the first twenty minutes before the former was called to action with the host’s first real opportunity.

Chances would be few and far between for the visitors as the first half progressed, and almost took the lead when Mokoena rose highest to meet Allende’s in-swinging free kick, only for his glancing effort to bounce wide.

A chance would follow shortly after for Junior Mendieta, who found space to drive forward and shoot, but he saw his shot saved by Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques.

The biggest flashpoint of the half came with five minutes remaining, when Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have fouled the Petro attacker in the box and gave away a penalty.

Petro forward Gilberto stepped up to the spot and saw his effort heroically denied by Williams, who made a double-save to keep the scores level at the break.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with both teams gunning to take the lead and get a foothold on the match.

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It took twenty minutes of the second half before Sundowns were finally able to break the deadlock.

Allende made a charging run into the box, and was picked out by fellow South American Mendieta, dispatching to push Downs ahead.

The goal changed the pace of the game as Masandawana were able to take control of possession and with less than 15 minutes to go, Mokhwena and his technical team rang the changes and brought Gaston Sirino and Thapelo Maseko into the fray, in place of Mendieta and captain Themba Zwane.

The substitutes made an instant impact as Sirino played Maseko in, before the young speedster rounded the keeper to slot home and grab The Brazilians’ second of the evening.

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Downs made further changes after the goal as Rivaldo Coetzee and Mosa Lebusa came on to help see out the result.

Masandawana withstood a late onslaught of pressure from the hosts to see out the victory and claim a first ever win in the new competition.

Additional reporting by Mamelodi Sundowns