Mamelodi Sundowns close in on CAF Champions League milestone despite Wiliete stalemate

Mamelodi Sundowns are closing in on a historic 100-goal milestone in the second round of the CAF Champions League despite being held to a goalless draw by Angola’s Wiliete on Sunday.

The South African giants have scored 99 goals in 39 matches at this stage of the competition, leaving them one short of the landmark after an uncharacteristically blunt attacking display in the first leg of their tie.

The result also ended Sundowns’ run of 15 consecutive second-round matches in which they had found the net, highlighting the rarity of their failure to score against Wiliete.

Playing on a poor pitch in Angola, Sundowns struggled to produce their usual attacking quality but will have the opportunity to make amends when the teams meet again in Pretoria on Friday.

Their record at this stage of the competition offers considerable encouragement ahead of the return fixture, with the Brazilians boasting an impressive history of turning home matches into victories.

Pretoria fortress offers hope

Sundowns have never lost a home fixture in the second round of the CAF Champions League, recording 16 wins and three draws in 19 matches.

During that period, they have scored 57 goals and conceded just 11, underlining their dominance in front of their own supporters.

Their current record is even more impressive, with the club winning their last 14 home matches at this stage of the competition. The run dates back to a 2-0 victory over Mozambique’s Desportivo Maputo in 2007.

Across those 14 victories, Sundowns have scored 48 goals and conceded only four, demonstrating their ability to combine attacking efficiency with defensive discipline.

Their last failure to win a home second-round match came in 2006, when they drew 2-2 against Madagascar’s USCAFOOT. That result proved costly, as Sundowns were eliminated on the away-goals rule.

The statistics suggest Wiliete face a difficult task in Pretoria, particularly if Sundowns rediscover their attacking rhythm on a more favourable surface.

Goalless draws have favoured Sundowns

Sunday’s stalemate was only the fourth occasion Sundowns have failed to score in a second-round fixture in their CAF Champions League history.

Interestingly, all four matches ended 0-0, with the South African side demonstrating on previous occasions that a scoreless first leg does not necessarily derail their qualification ambitions.

When they drew away from home against Rwanda’s Rayon Sports in 2018, Sundowns responded with a 2-0 victory in the return leg to advance.

They produced an even more emphatic response against Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi in the 2018/19 campaign, winning 4-0 at home after another goalless draw on the road.

Their only other scoreless outing at this stage came against Zambia’s Nkana in 2000. Sundowns progressed after drawing 1-1 away from home, benefiting from the away-goals rule.

That match was also the last time they failed to score in a home second-round fixture, a record that has stood for more than two decades.

Unbeaten run strengthens qualification hopes

Beyond their formidable home record, Sundowns have established themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent performers at this stage.

They have gone 23 consecutive second-round matches without defeat, a sequence stretching back to a 3-1 loss away to TP Mazembe in 2015.

That defeat also marked the last time Sundowns were eliminated in the second round. Since then, they have progressed from their last 11 completed ties at this stage.

The latest draw against Wiliete leaves the tie delicately poised, but history strongly favours the South African side ahead of Friday’s return leg.

Sundowns will be eager to end their scoring drought, secure qualification and bring up their 100th second-round goal in the process.

After an unusually quiet evening in Angola, Pretoria could provide the perfect setting for the Brazilians to reach the milestone and maintain their impressive continental record.