Mamelodi Sundowns secured a crucial 2-0 win over Petro de Luanda in the
first leg of their African Football League quarter-final on Saturday. The
result gives the Brazilians a two-goal lead heading into the second leg.
Rulani Mokwena was able to welcome back the likes of Ronwen Williams,
Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kenana
and Khuliso Mudau who all missed the Carling Knockout loss on Wednesday.
The opening exchanges proved to be quite lively as Sundowns needed a vital
block from Kekana in the box to deny the Angolans a certain goal in the
opening ten minutes. Sundowns started carve out chances of their own as
the first half went on, with Mokoena guided a header wide from Marcelo
Allende’s cross while Junior Mendieta saw his strike deflecte wide.
Petro were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute when Toro was brought down
by Mvala. Gilberto stepped up but saw his penalty saved by Williams, who
also saved the rebound.
Sundowns came out firing in the second half and finally managed to test
Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques, with Mokoena seeing his powerful free-kick
tipped over the crossbar ten minutes in. Mokwena’s charges would go on to
get the breakthrough in the 67th minute, with the influential Marcelo
Allende finding the back of the net with a neat finish in the 18-yard
area.
With the Angolans pushing for an equaliser, Williams had to be at his best
once again as he produced another fine stop to keep out a towering header
with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Coach Mokwena finally looked to his bench for reinforcements in the final
ten minutes, as Zwane and Mendieta made way for Gaston Sirino and Thapelo
Maseko. The changes paid off instantly as Maseko doubled the lead for the
visitors with a clinical finish from a tight angle to open his account for
the Brazilians.
Victory in our first ever #AFL match! Time to gear up for the return leg! 👆
Petro De Luanda 0⃣➖2⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (67' Allende, 80' Maseko)#Sundowns #DownsLive #AFL pic.twitter.com/C5v6DXbdmn
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 21, 2023
